FrieslandCampina and Bongrain ink retail agreement

Another sign of the bigger milk processors in Europe drawing closer together is the latest marketing agreement between FrieslandCampina Cheese in Germany and French cheese specialists Bongrain. As of 1 February, Bongrain’s 60-strong retail support team in Germany takes over responsibility for FrieslandCampina’s Dutch cheeses. The marketing team are already highly experienced in promoting foreign cheeses because Bongrain (2009 turnover EUR3.3 billion) only earns 35% of its income from the home market. 44%, mainly from cheeses, is earned in other EU countries of which Germany is the prime market.
FrieslandCampina sales topped EUR8 bn in the 2009 financial year and the Dutch dairy is currently investing in still more cheesemaking capacity with a EUR36 m contract signed for almost doubling the capacity of its Aalter plant in Belgium. Here, Campina and Joyvalle brand cheeses for French, British, German and Dutch sales are produced. Within the next 18 months a selection of milk drinks (e.g. Fristi products) will also be filled at Aalter. FrieslandCampina is also extending two other smaller Belgian dairy facilities. The dairy says its expansion at Aalter will be completed within 18 months.