Germany-based DMK Group and Denmark-based Arla Foods, both major cooperative dairy organizations, have announced a potential merger that would create the largest cooperative dairy company in Europe. The move combines over 12,000 farmers from across several European countries and brings together their operational strengths and global presence, pending regulatory approval.
Germany’s DMK Group, the country’s largest dairy cooperative, and Denmark’s Arla Foods, one of Europe’s leading international dairy cooperatives, have announced a landmark plan to merge. If approved by the European Commission, the unification could create the largest dairy cooperative in Europe, with a combined farmer base of over 12,000 and a turnover of nearly €19 billion (approx. USD 20.3 billion).
The proposed merger will bring together DMK’s 4,600 affiliated farmers from Germany and the Netherlands and Arla’s 7,600 members from Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Together, the two companies employ around 28,700 people and bring significant strengths to the table—Arla with its expansive global network and DMK with its broad product range and regional expertise.
Both cooperatives have already secured strong internal backing, with a large majority of member farmers approving the merger proposal. However, the move still requires a green light from the European Commission, with a ruling expected by March 2026. Until then, both DMK Group and Arla Foods will continue to operate independently.
If finalized, the merger will reshape the European dairy landscape by consolidating resources and streamlining operations across multiple countries. The new cooperative entity is expected to have greater global competitiveness, improved sustainability performance, and enhanced farmer support mechanisms.
This development reflects the growing trend of strategic consolidation in Europe’s agricultural and food sectors, where scaling up is increasingly seen as essential to long-term resilience and market leadership.