• Brand Name: Arla

• Parent Company: Arla Foods

• Founded: 2000 (through the merger of MD Foods of Denmark and Arla ekonomisk Förening of Sweden)

• Historical roots: 1880s cooperative dairy movement

• Headquarters: Viby J, Aarhus, Denmark

• Industry: Dairy Products

• Business Type: Farmer-owned cooperative

• Ownership: Nearly 11,000 dairy farmers across seven European countries

• Markets: More than 100 countries worldwide [1]

Arla’s history dates back to the 1880s, when dairy farmers in Denmark and Sweden established local cooperatives. These farmers pooled their resources to build shared dairies, allowing them to process milk more efficiently and produce higher-quality dairy products.

Over the following century, many small cooperatives merged into larger organizations. A major milestone came in 2000, when Denmark’s MD Foods merged with Sweden’s Arla ekonomisk Förening, creating Arla Foods, the world’s first major cross-border dairy cooperative. [1]

Since then, Arla has expanded through mergers with dairy cooperatives in:

• United Kingdom

• Germany

• Belgium

• Luxembourg

• Netherlands

Today, Arla is among the five largest dairy companies in the world. [1]

Arla’s mission is centered on producing natural, nutritious dairy products while ensuring sustainable farming and fair returns for its farmer owners. [2]

Its core values include:

• Natural dairy production

• High-quality milk

• Animal welfare

• Food safety

• Environmental responsibility

• Transparency from farm to consumer

Because the company is owned by dairy farmers, profits are returned to the cooperative members rather than outside shareholders. [2]

Arla produces a wide variety of dairy products.

Milk

• Full Cream Milk

• Low Fat Milk

• Skimmed Milk

• Organic Milk

• Lactose-Free Milk

• Barista Milk

Cheese

• Cream Cheese

• Cheddar

• Mozzarella

• Havarti

• Gouda

• Sliced Cheese

• Cheese Blocks

Butter & Spreads

• Butter

• Spreadable Butter

• Salted Butter

• Unsalted Butter

Yogurt

• Greek Yogurt

• Drinking Yogurt

• Natural Yogurt

• Fruit Yogurt

Cream

• Whipping Cream

• Cooking Cream

Dairy Ingredients

• Milk Powder

• Whey Protein

• Infant Nutrition Ingredients

• Foodservice Dairy Products

Besides the Arla brand itself, Arla Foods owns or markets several well-known dairy brands, including:

• Lurpak

• Castello

• Puck

• Arla Protein

• Arla Organic

[1]

Arla emphasizes strict quality assurance through its Arlagården® quality program, which focuses on:

• Healthy cows

• High milk quality

• Responsible antibiotic use

• Animal welfare

• Food safety

• Full traceability from farm to consumer

The company states that it controls the milk journey from the farm through processing to distribution, enabling comprehensive traceability. [2]

Arla has made sustainability a core business strategy. Its initiatives include:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

• Improving energy efficiency

• Protecting biodiversity

• Supporting sustainable farming

• Reducing food waste

• Improving recyclable packaging

The company works with farmers to lower the carbon footprint of milk production while maintaining animal welfare standards. [1]

Arla products are sold in over 100 countries across:

• Europe

• Asia

• Middle East

• Africa

• North America

• South America

• Oceania

Major markets include:

• Denmark

• Sweden

• United Kingdom

• Germany

• Netherlands

• China

• Philippines

• Singapore

• Malaysia

• United Arab Emirates

[1]

Arla has become a popular premium dairy brand in the Philippines, particularly for:

• UHT Full Cream Milk

• Cream Cheese

• Mozzarella

• Butter

• Cheese Slices

• Barista Milk

The brand is widely used by:

• Home consumers

• Coffee shops

• Bakeries

• Restaurants

• Hotels

Its Philippine operations are managed through Arla Foods Corp. Philippines, based in Makati City. [2]

Arla distinguishes itself through:

• Farmer-owned cooperative structure

• More than 140 years of dairy heritage

• Strong emphasis on natural ingredients

• Comprehensive quality control

• High standards for animal welfare

• International food safety certifications

• Global distribution network

Summary: Arla is a Danish-Swedish dairy brand backed by a farmer-owned cooperative with roots in the 1880s. It has grown into one of the world’s largest dairy companies, supplying milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, and other dairy products to more than 100 countries while emphasizing quality, traceability, sustainability, and responsible farming. [1]

1. Arla Foods Overview | Arla

2. About Our Company | Arla Philippines