Starbucks extends partnership with Arla Foods

Starbucks has a new strategic licensing agreement with the farmer-owned dairy cooperative Arla Foods. Following their seven years of partnership, the two companies have signed a long-term 21-year strategic agreement, giving Arla Foods license to continue to manufacture, distribute and market Starbucks premium milk-based ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee beverages for the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa.)

Duncan Moir, vice president channel development and foodservice, Starbucks EMEA, says, “The strength of our relationship with Arla Foods over the past seven years has seen our RTD business grow by an average of 40% per year across EMEA.

“This new licensing agreement signals our commitment to continue to work together to grow the business within the ready-to-drink sector, and we are proud to be working alongside Arla Foods.”

Commenting on the agreement, Hanne Søndergaard, executive vice president and CMO at Arla Foods, says, “We are proud to take another step in our partnership with Starbucks, bringing great tasting Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee beverages to consumers across Europe and the Middle East while adding value to our farmers’ milk.

“The partnership combines Arla’s extensive experience in manufacturing dairy beverages and our widespread distribution network with Starbucks unique coffee expertise. Consumers in the EMEA region have welcomed the great taste and premium nature of the beverages, and we remain committed to working closely with Starbucks on developing and growing the category in the future.”

Opportunities within milk-based beverages is an important focus area in Arla’s Good Growth 2020 strategy.

“It is our ambition to be a leading provider of milk-based beverages in Northern Europe, The Middle East, Asia and Northern Africa in 2020 and the new strategic licensing agreement makes the Starbucks partnership a vital part of delivering on this target and we believe that innovation is the key to future success. Our recent launches of new Starbucks Double Shot products are a great example of our joint commitment to innovation and to consumers,” Søndergaard concludes.

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