Arla

Why it is renowned

Arla is among the largest dairy companies in the world and the largest in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom.¹ Its main brands, Arla, Lurpak, Puck and Castello, are sold worldwide; Puck is its brand in the Middle East and North Africa.¹²³ In June 2026 it merged with the German co-operative DMK Group under the Arla name, uniting about 11,200 farmers in seven countries.² The British trade magazine New Food reported the merged company as Europe's largest dairy co-operative, with yearly revenue above €20 billion.⁴

The story

Danish farmers began forming co-operative dairies in the 1880s; the first Danish one opened in Hjedding, near Ølgod, in 1882.¹ Mejeriselskabet Danmark was founded in 1970, renamed MD Foods in 1988, and merged with Kløver Mælk in 1999.¹ In April 2000 MD Foods merged with the Swedish co-operative Arla to form Arla Foods, with its head office in Denmark.¹ The company is owned by the dairy farmers who supply most of its milk.⁵

What to know it by

• Lurpak¹Butter brand
• Castello¹Cheese brand, blue and yellow cheeses
• Puck¹Arla's brand in the Middle East and North Africa
• Arla¹The co-operative's own brand across all categories