Dairy is one of the core FMCG categories – what trends will dominate the dairy industry in 2025?
The year 2025 will bring us a continuation of the key trends that have developed in recent years. Consumers will therefore seek products that support their health, with simple ingredients and a short label. There will also be an increase in the importance of brands that focus on sustainable production, including not only eco-friendly packaging or green energy, but also corporate governance and positive relations with the local community. Another factor shaping the market in 2025 will be the move towards personalised offers. We predict that the category of functional products, such as high-protein, on-the-go or comfort food, will grow. Due to the strong influence of social media and the home cooking trend, traditional products such as cream, butter and yellow cheese, which are a staple in the cuisine of many countries and nations, will also strengthen their position.
In which direction are you currently developing your offer? Which segments will you be focusing on in the near future?
In 2024, we launched around 20 new products, mainly under the Łaciate brand. Our offer includes, among others, the line of high-protein products Łaciate Protein+, Łaciate kefir, Łaciate cottage cheese, desserts with buttermilk, Łaciate barista UHT milk and new flavours of Łaciate whipped cream cheese. In the coming months, we plan to expand the portfolio further with protein products and butter with improved nutritional characteristics – with added phospholipids and vitamins D3 and K2. This is in response to the expectations of today’s consumers, who are increasingly willing to reach for products that offer added value in the form of higher protein, vitamin or mineral content.
Mlekpol’s portfolio includes a whole range of iconic brands and products. What is their popularity in individual countries? How do you ensure their continued popularity?
Our export hit is the Łaciate brand, present on six continents, particularly popular in China and the Philippines. The main products going to distant markets are UHT milk and powdered products. We also send cheeses, butter, cottage cheese and fermented products abroad. To meet the expectations of foreign markets, we have also created two export brands: Milcasa and Happy Barn. We build the popularity of Mlekpol’s products abroad by, among other things, being present at the most important and largest food fairs in the world. These include Gulfood in Dubai, SIAL Paris or Anuga in Cologne. Participation in such events is an opportunity for the Cooperative to present its offer, establish new business contacts and learn more about the needs of our foreign customers.
The company’s offer also responds to changes in consumer preferences or new trends. Among others, Mlekpol offers a range of protein products. How has the line been received and is its development planned?
The Łaciate Protein+ line has been very positively received by consumers and customers. Currently, on shop shelves you can find drinking yoghurts: natural, mango and strawberry, kefir and UHT classic and lactose-free milk. Interestingly, the audience for these products is wide and not limited to athletes. Of course, protein-rich products ensure faster recovery after exercise, but they are also a way to supplement the daily diet and an idea for a healthy meal at work or on the go. Thanks to their convenient packaging with a screw cap, they fit into the category of on-the-go products. Protein milk, on the other hand, is a great addition to your morning coffee, oatmeal, smoothie or pancakes. With an extra portion of protein, such a meal gives you a feeling of satiety for longer. Already in 2025, we will launch other products from the Łaciate Protein+ line and we hope they will be met with similar interest.
An international trade fair is a forum for business meetings and a chance to meet contractors in person. What message would you like to send to your current and future partners?
The modern world is facing many adverse political and economic phenomena, as well as the consequences of climate change. International trade in such conditions is therefore a challenge that Mlekpol, thanks to its flexibility, is able to meet. We have 14 modern processing plants, and we are investing in the green transformation of them, automation and digitisation of processes. In addition, we have an extremely extensive portfolio of high quality products, made from world-renowned Polish milk. Our Cooperative is made up of nearly 8,000 farmers whose farms are continuously modernised and whose animals are provided with the right level of welfare. For years, we have also been developing export and delivering products even to the most distant markets. All this reinforces Mlekpol’s image as a trusted partner with whom you can build long-term trade relations.
You export to more than 100 countries worldwide. In which countries do you have the widest distribution?
Today, our key export destinations include most of the European Union countries, as well as the United Kingdom, China and Ukraine. Recently, we have also been strongly developing sales to countries such as South-East Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. These are regions which, for various reasons, are characterised by insufficient domestic production and, on the other hand, by positive demographic indicators which result in increased demand for dairy products.
The plants in which you produce are distinguished by a high degree of specialisation and modern machinery. What elements are key to production safety and efficiency?
The highest quality raw material and the short processing time are key factors that influence the taste and safety of our products. Milk from Mlekpol suppliers is subjected to detailed laboratory analysis and processed on the day of collection. As a result, the products are distinguished by their simple composition and clean label, without the need for preservatives or unnecessary additives.
All production processes and finished products are monitored according to national regulations and international standards such as IFS and HACCP. In addition, the company’s factories have Kosher certificates, allowing cooperation with the Jewish community, and Halal certificates, allowing products to be sold according to Islamic principles. All this enables Mlekpol to provide consumers with fresh, natural and safe dairy products of excellent, repeatable taste and the highest quality.
Caring for the environment and conscientiously pursuing sustainability is one of the pillars of the company’s current strategy. What measures are you taking in this regard?
In this regard, Mlekpol has a sustainability team working on the preparation of the first non-financial ESG report. As early as 2025, we plan to publish a preliminary report showing how we are meeting our targets for CO₂ reduction, investments in green energy, corporate governance and relations with the external environment.
Our strategy is based on four pillars. We started with the abandonment of hard coal, and we are currently implementing a number of investments related to the construction of cogeneration systems or further biogas plants. We are also working on the rational use of energy and investing in production automation. The green transformation extends not only to our production facilities, but also to the farms of our suppliers, who are increasingly bold in investing in renewable energy or seeking beneficial solutions in regenerative farming practices.
What plans does your company have for the coming year? What are the most important objectives?
Our main objective will continue to be to maintain good relations with our suppliers and to guarantee them a price that allows profitable production and further development of the farms. In addition, we will continue to make a number of investments in individual production facilities. In 2024 alone, we spent more than a quarter of a billion PLN on this, 80 million PLN more than in the previous year. We also plan to systematically expand our product portfolio so that it meets the needs of modern consumers even better. In addition, among Mlekpol’s priorities is greater international expansion, consisting of strengthening current trade relations, but also gaining new markets.
Thank you.
The year 2025 will bring us a continuation of the key trends that have developed in recent years. Consumers will therefore seek products that support their health, with simple ingredients and a short label. There will also be an increase in the importance of brands that focus on sustainable production, including not only eco-friendly packaging or green energy, but also corporate governance and positive relations with the local community. Another factor shaping the market in 2025 will be the move towards personalised offers. We predict that the category of functional products, such as high-protein, on-the-go or comfort food, will grow. Due to the strong influence of social media and the home cooking trend, traditional products such as cream, butter and yellow cheese, which are a staple in the cuisine of many countries and nations, will also strengthen their position. In which direction are you currently developing your offer? Which segments will you be focusing on in the near future?
In 2024, we launched around 20 new products, mainly under the Łaciate brand. Our offer includes, among others, the line of high-protein products Łaciate Protein+, Łaciate kefir, Łaciate cottage cheese, desserts with buttermilk, Łaciate barista UHT milk and new flavours of Łaciate whipped cream cheese. In the coming months, we plan to expand the portfolio further with protein products and butter with improved nutritional characteristics – with added phospholipids and vitamins D3 and K2. This is in response to the expectations of today’s consumers, who are increasingly willing to reach for products that offer added value in the form of higher protein, vitamin or mineral content.
Mlekpol’s portfolio includes a whole range of iconic brands and products. What is their popularity in individual countries? How do you ensure their continued popularity?
Our export hit is the Łaciate brand, present on six continents, particularly popular in China and the Philippines. The main products going to distant markets are UHT milk and powdered products. We also send cheeses, butter, cottage cheese and fermented products abroad. To meet the expectations of foreign markets, we have also created two export brands: Milcasa and Happy Barn. We build the popularity of Mlekpol’s products abroad by, among other things, being present at the most important and largest food fairs in the world. These include Gulfood in Dubai, SIAL Paris or Anuga in Cologne. Participation in such events is an opportunity for the Cooperative to present its offer, establish new business contacts and learn more about the needs of our foreign customers.
The company’s offer also responds to changes in consumer preferences or new trends. Among others, Mlekpol offers a range of protein products. How has the line been received and is its development planned?
The Łaciate Protein+ line has been very positively received by consumers and customers. Currently, on shop shelves you can find drinking yoghurts: natural, mango and strawberry, kefir and UHT classic and lactose-free milk. Interestingly, the audience for these products is wide and not limited to athletes. Of course, protein-rich products ensure faster recovery after exercise, but they are also a way to supplement the daily diet and an idea for a healthy meal at work or on the go. Thanks to their convenient packaging with a screw cap, they fit into the category of on-the-go products. Protein milk, on the other hand, is a great addition to your morning coffee, oatmeal, smoothie or pancakes. With an extra portion of protein, such a meal gives you a feeling of satiety for longer. Already in 2025, we will launch other products from the Łaciate Protein+ line and we hope they will be met with similar interest.
An international trade fair is a forum for business meetings and a chance to meet contractors in person. What message would you like to send to your current and future partners?
The modern world is facing many adverse political and economic phenomena, as well as the consequences of climate change. International trade in such conditions is therefore a challenge that Mlekpol, thanks to its flexibility, is able to meet. We have 14 modern processing plants, and we are investing in the green transformation of them, automation and digitisation of processes. In addition, we have an extremely extensive portfolio of high quality products, made from world-renowned Polish milk. Our Cooperative is made up of nearly 8,000 farmers whose farms are continuously modernised and whose animals are provided with the right level of welfare. For years, we have also been developing export and delivering products even to the most distant markets. All this reinforces Mlekpol’s image as a trusted partner with whom you can build long-term trade relations.
You export to more than 100 countries worldwide. In which countries do you have the widest distribution?
Today, our key export destinations include most of the European Union countries, as well as the United Kingdom, China and Ukraine. Recently, we have also been strongly developing sales to countries such as South-East Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. These are regions which, for various reasons, are characterised by insufficient domestic production and, on the other hand, by positive demographic indicators which result in increased demand for dairy products.
The plants in which you produce are distinguished by a high degree of specialisation and modern machinery. What elements are key to production safety and efficiency?
The highest quality raw material and the short processing time are key factors that influence the taste and safety of our products. Milk from Mlekpol suppliers is subjected to detailed laboratory analysis and processed on the day of collection. As a result, the products are distinguished by their simple composition and clean label, without the need for preservatives or unnecessary additives.
All production processes and finished products are monitored according to national regulations and international standards such as IFS and HACCP. In addition, the company’s factories have Kosher certificates, allowing cooperation with the Jewish community, and Halal certificates, allowing products to be sold according to Islamic principles. All this enables Mlekpol to provide consumers with fresh, natural and safe dairy products of excellent, repeatable taste and the highest quality.
Caring for the environment and conscientiously pursuing sustainability is one of the pillars of the company’s current strategy. What measures are you taking in this regard?
In this regard, Mlekpol has a sustainability team working on the preparation of the first non-financial ESG report. As early as 2025, we plan to publish a preliminary report showing how we are meeting our targets for CO₂ reduction, investments in green energy, corporate governance and relations with the external environment.
Our strategy is based on four pillars. We started with the abandonment of hard coal, and we are currently implementing a number of investments related to the construction of cogeneration systems or further biogas plants. We are also working on the rational use of energy and investing in production automation. The green transformation extends not only to our production facilities, but also to the farms of our suppliers, who are increasingly bold in investing in renewable energy or seeking beneficial solutions in regenerative farming practices.
What plans does your company have for the coming year? What are the most important objectives?
Our main objective will continue to be to maintain good relations with our suppliers and to guarantee them a price that allows profitable production and further development of the farms. In addition, we will continue to make a number of investments in individual production facilities. In 2024 alone, we spent more than a quarter of a billion PLN on this, 80 million PLN more than in the previous year. We also plan to systematically expand our product portfolio so that it meets the needs of modern consumers even better. In addition, among Mlekpol’s priorities is greater international expansion, consisting of strengthening current trade relations, but also gaining new markets.
Thank you.
