Arla Foods, the UK’s largest dairy cooperative, is making a significant investment in Devon’s dairy industry with a $225 million mozzarella plant at the Taw Valley Creamery. The project aims to create over 100 jobs and support Arla’s global mozzarella market expansion.
The UK’s largest dairy cooperative, Arla Foods, has officially started the construction of a state-of-the-art mozzarella plant in Devon. The facility, located at the Taw Valley Creamery in North Tawton, represents a $225 million investment and is slated to begin operations by 2027. This marks one of Arla’s largest investments in the UK dairy sector, following a series of strategic investments to bolster its global dairy market presence.
The new plant will focus on producing high-quality mozzarella, primarily used for pizza toppings, to meet the growing demand in international markets. With the addition of advanced technology and production techniques, the plant will enhance Arla’s capacity to meet export needs, further solidifying its position in the global mozzarella market.
We’re incredibly proud to see work has begun on our state-of-the-art mozzarella plant in the UK. This is a really exciting time for Arla and for all our colleagues at Taw Valley, as we continue to showcase Arla leading British dairy production.”
Fran Ball, Vice President of Production at Arla Foods UK
This development aligns with Arla’s ongoing efforts to expand its UK operations, with plans also in place to invest $113 million in its Lockerbie site to further enhance UK manufacturing capabilities. The investment into the Taw Valley site is expected to create over 100 skilled jobs, including opportunities for apprentices, providing a significant boost to the local economy.
The investment into our Taw Valley site showcases our commitment to driving change in the UK and supporting the future of British dairy. We are already one of the leading players in the global mozzarella market, providing quality cheese to customers worldwide, but this investment allows us to continue to support our farmer owners by returning the best price for their milk.”
Bas Padberg, Managing Director of Arla Foods UK
This latest expansion follows Arla’s global commitment to sustainable growth, as demonstrated by its record global investments exceeding $1.1 billion in 2024. The new mozzarella plant will not only support Arla’s growing international demand but also contribute to the company’s goal of creating a more sustainable and innovative future for dairy production.
With this development, Arla Foods is reaffirming its dedication to the UK’s dairy industry and the global market, solidifying its role as a key player in the ever-evolving dairy sector.
