Emmi reports improved 2011 results

Despite the challenges in the international cheese market for high-priced products made in Switzerland, the country’s biggest cheesemaker,Emmi, has done it again and secured 2011 results better than the previous year’s with turnover up 1.4% and net sales of CHF 2.721 billion. Taken on their own, foreign sales for the Luzern-based dairy were actually 10.9% up on the year (CHF 811 m). But the company stresses that the currency exchange penalties would have dragged this figure into a substantial loss for 2011 – if it had not been for the acquisition effect.

Joining the Emmi stable recently have been Onken yogurts from Dr Oetker in late 2010 which is thought to have increased the Emmi turnover in this sector by more than €50 million. Other recruits helping the balance are Fromalp and Rütz. Also adding to sales is the more recently purchased Cypress Grove Chèvre from California and the Italian dessert specialist A-27 (tiramisu, panna cotta, tartufo). This last purchase, with a turnover of around €62 m, brought with it not only a passage into the lucrative Italian market but also impressive foreign market successes in France, Germany, Britain and Benelux – and other promising sales as far afield as Australia.

On top of this, all-round performance for the Swiss dairy has once again been boosted by very successful sales of the Emmi dairy drink Caffè Latte plus extra income from the new innovative products Milk Shake, Yogurt Milk and Mozzarella Mini Marinati.