Top world dairy companies

Rabobank's annual Global Dairy Top 20 highlights the results of industry leaders in one of the world's most valueable food sectors. The combined turnover of the Global Dairy Top 20 companies jumped by 7.4% in US dollar terms, following the prior year's gain of 9.3%. In euro terms, the combined turnover increased by a significant 21% due to the combination of a stronger US dollar, inflation, and tight market conditions during most of 2022, with many companies reporting record-high revenues in their local currencies. Overall, only five companies held the same position as last year, indicating movement in the global dairy processing sector.

Global Dairy Top 20 Industry Leaders, 2023
Rank  2023 Rank  2022 Company Country of origin and main operation countries Dairy turnover 2022 Footnote 1
Billion US$
Dairy turnover 2022 Footnote 1
Billion Euros
1 1 Lactalis France 28.6Footnote e 27.2Footnote e
2 4 Dairy Farmers of America United States of America 24.5 23.3Footnote
3 2 Nestlé Switzerland 23.3Footnote e 22.1e
Footnote
4 3 Danone France 21.2e 21.1e
5 5 Yili China 18.3Footnote e 17.3e
Footnote
6 9 Arla Foods  Denmark/Sweeden 14.5 13.8
7 8 FrieslandCampina  Netherlands 14.4e 13.7e
8 7 Mengniu  China 14.4e 13.7e
9 6 Fonterra New Zealand 14.2e 13.4e
10 10 Saputo Canada 13.7 13.0
11 11 Unilever Netherlands/United Kingdom 8.3Footnote 7.9Footnote
12 13 Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd india 7.0 6.7
13 12 Savencia  France 6.9 6.6
14 17 Müller Germany 6.5Footnote e 6.2e
Footnote
15 16 Agropur Canada 6.5Footnote 6.2
Footnote
16 19 Schreiber Foods  United States of America 6.5e 6.2e
17 14 Sodiaal France 5.8Footnote 5.5
18 18 DMK Germany 5.5Footnote e 5.3e
Footnote
19 20 Froneri  United Kingdom 5.3Footnote 5.1
20 .. Glanbia  Ireland 5.1e 4.8e
Source: Rabobank 2023. Data represents in most cases the year 2023
Compiled by Agriculture and agri-food Canada, Animal industry division, Market information section

If you have any questions or require additional information, please send an e-mail to aafc.cdic-ccil.aac@agr.gc.ca