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The investments will see significant upgrades that secure the future of its sites and ensure they can continue producing world-leading products whilst adding the most value possible to the milk from its farmer-owners
Arla Foods pledges more than £300m to five UK sites on the day of Farm to Fork Summit
On the day of the UK Farm to Fork Summit in Downing Street, Britain’s biggest dairy company has given a major boost to UK manufacturing and the future of British dairy by pledging to invest tens of millions in its production sites. From Scotland to the West Country, new investments at four of Arla’s sites bring its total UK investment commitments in 2024 to over £300 million.
In addition to previously announced plans for its Taw Valley site, Arla Foods will update and expand its dairies and creameries at Lockerbie, Stourton, Aylesbury and Westbury as it looks to create more opportunities for British milk and cheese production.
The cooperative, owned by thousands of European dairy farmers, including around 2,000 in the UK, currently operates nine production sites across the country making a range of milk, butter, cheese and other dairy staples. The investments will see significant upgrades that secure the future of its sites and ensure they can continue producing world-leading products whilst adding the most value possible to the milk from its farmer-owners. In Taw Valley, the investment will allow the business to capitalise on the potential for export around the world.
Bas Padberg, managing director of Arla Foods UK, comments: “What this means is that our farmer owners are investing in UK food security – as they are not only producing our milk, but they are backing this investment in our production sites. Dairy plays a significant role in the UK economy, with sales of dairy products exceeding £8bn*. On the day of the Farm to Fork Summit we are delighted to set out plans for continued vital investment in our business worth tens of millions of pounds, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of food production and keeping the nation’s favourite dairy products on our supermarket shelves.”