Conaprole, Uruguay’s largest dairy cooperative, and Yili, a leading Chinese dairy company, have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to enhance sustainable production, improve dairy quality, and strengthen their commercial partnership, building on a decade-long relationship.
Conaprole, the National Cooperative of Milk Producers from Uruguay, and Yili, one of China’s largest dairy companies, have signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at reinforcing their longstanding partnership. The agreement focuses on enhancing commercial ties, promoting sustainable development initiatives, and increasing the overall quality of dairy production.
Founded in 1935, Conaprole represents 2,600 milk producers in Uruguay, which is renowned for its high-quality dairy products. Yili, established in 1999, is Asia’s largest dairy enterprise and among the top five globally. The two companies have had a fruitful relationship for over a decade, collaborating on a variety of projects designed to improve dairy production and ensure sustainable practices across the supply chain.
The agreement was formalized during the visit of a high-level delegation from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China, led by Secretary-General Sun Shaocheng and Yili’s President Pan Gang. Uruguay’s Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries, Fernando Mattos, also attended the signing ceremony, emphasizing the importance of the agreement for Uruguay’s dairy industry and highlighting the potential for enhancing production efficiency and sustainability.
The partnership is particularly timely, as recent interruptions in the dairy trade between Uruguay and China have made it essential for both countries to deepen their economic and commercial ties. Minister Mattos stated that this agreement represents a significant opportunity to elevate Uruguay’s dairy production quality while aligning with global trends in health and sustainability.
Conaprole’s General Manager, Gabriel Valdés, welcomed the continued partnership with Yili, acknowledging the competitive pressures facing the dairy industry, especially following the Free Trade Agreement between China and New Zealand that eliminates dairy import tariffs. Valdés noted that the collaboration would provide both companies with new market opportunities and strengthen their position in the global dairy market.
Yili’s President, Pan Gang, expressed pride in how both companies have supported each other during challenging times, including the ongoing impacts of the global pandemic. He highlighted that this agreement will continue to drive innovation and ensure the delivery of high-quality dairy products worldwide.
The strategic cooperation agreement not only strengthens the relationship between Conaprole and Yili but also serves as a crucial step toward addressing the global challenges facing the dairy industry, ensuring the availability of sustainable, high-quality dairy products for consumers around the globe.
