News
Nestlé continues to lead Global Dairy Top 20
15 Aug 2019Rabobank has issued its 2019 Global Dairy Top 20 report. In 2018, it says, lower commodity prices, adverse weather conditions in key export markets, a strong US dollar and currency shifts have affected the combined turnover of the Global Dairy Top 20 companies.
In US dollar terms, however, the market still saw an an increase of 2.5% on the prior year, compared to 7.2% in the previous year.
Combined 2018 turnover in Euro terms dropped by 2% vs and upward trend in 217 of 5.1%.
Dairy M&A remained active in 2018, Rabobank notes, as growth via mergers and acquisitions is a tried-and-trusted strategy for most of the companies present in the Top 20. Nevertheless, all this M&A activity left the top three unchanged, although the gap between numbers one and two continues to narrow.
FrieslandCampina entered the top five, with Dairy Farmers of America dropping out.
Nestlé remains the world’s largest dairy company with turnover of $24.3 billion. It is followed by Lactalis ($20.8bn); Danone ($18.0Bn); Fonterra ($14.3bn); and FrieslandCampina ($13.8bn).
Related news
Retail landscape lacks nutritious and affordable food, says ATNi
30 Dec 2025
A rapid increase in modern food retail has given retailers growing influence over consumer diets, according to global non-profit ATNi’s latest assessment.
Read more
Debate over ban on ‘meaty’ names for plant-based products reaches stalemate
26 Dec 2025
The debate over a ban on plant-based products using “meaty” terms has reached a stalemate, leaving manufacturers in limbo and still facing overhauls to their marketing and packaging.
Read more
Innovation promise in 'maturing' plant-based dairy alternatives market
8 Dec 2025
Plant-based dairy is a maturing market that still faces significant hurdles around taste, functionality, nutrition, and price, but industry is innovating fast, according to experts speaking at Fi Europe.
Read more
Celebrating the winners of the Fi Europe Innovation Awards 2025
3 Dec 2025
Food industry stakeholders celebrated as the winners of the Fi Europe Innovation Awards were announced at a ceremony in Paris.
Read more
Big appetite for M&A between European and US food and drink companies
3 Dec 2025
Persistent tariffs on EU food and beverage exports have helped drive record levels of M&A activity between European and US companies this year, according to analysis by ING.
Read more
Non-UPF Program extends certification scheme to entire food industry
30 Nov 2025
The Non-UPF Program has extended its certification scheme to the wider food sector, championing a move towards healthier consumption habits.
Read more
Empowering innovation in fortification and colouration
13 Nov 2025
Divi’s Nutraceuticals offers a large portfolio of innovative, high-quality ingredients for foods, beverages, and supplements, with bespoke solutions and expert support for product success.
Read more
Danone highlights digestive health as potential ‘tipping point’ for food industry
13 Nov 2025
Danone is betting on a food industry “tipping point” that will bloat the market for healthy products, particularly those related to gut health.
Read more
Standing Ovation and Bel scale up casein production from dairy co-products
11 Nov 2025
Foodtech company Standing Ovation has partnered with cheese specialist Bel Group to manufacture dairy serums for industrial-scale casein production via precision fermentation.
Read more
New UPF standard hoped to offer consumers ‘coherence and clarity’
10 Nov 2025
Ingredients companies are being urged to enter “a new era of partnership and innovation” following the launch of the industry’s first non-UPF verification scheme.
Read more