News

Rabobank: Nestlé still number one

4 Aug 2015

The Global Dairy Top 20, Rabobank’s latest annual survey of the world’s largest dairy companies, highlights the giants of one of the most valuable food sectors on the globe. “While the names of the world’s 20 largest dairy companies will be familiar to industry followers, the order saw something of a shakeup compared to 12 […]

Rabobank: Nestlé still number one

dairy-cow-meadow-makes-most-sunny-day-rich-grasslands-42356843The Global Dairy Top 20, Rabobank’s latest annual survey of the world’s largest dairy companies, highlights the giants of one of the most valuable food sectors on the globe.

“While the names of the world’s 20 largest dairy companies will be familiar to industry followers, the order saw something of a shakeup compared to 12 months prior”, said Rabobank Global Dairy Strategist Tim Hunt.

Nestlé remained at the top of the table with dairy turnover of €20.9 billion almost 50% greater than second-ranking company Lactalis, who edged into second position for the first time, ahead of Danone, while Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) pushed into the top five.

Currency shifts impacted company rankings, Rabobank notes, but also highlighted the deterioration of economic growth and near-term growth prospects for dairy in many emerging markets, along with enhancing the buying power of US and Chinese companies.

Faced with slowing growth at home, Rabobank believes that Chinese companies may need to harness that improved spending power if they are to continue to rise up the ranks at the pace they have achieved over the last decade.

The full list is:

  1. Nestlé
  2. Lactalis
  3. Danone
  4. Fonterra
  5. Dairy Farmers of America
  6. FrieslandCampina
  7. Arla Foods
  8. Saputo
  9. Dean Foods
  10. Yili
  11. Mengniu
  12. Unilever
  13. Sodiaal
  14. DMK
  15. Savencia (formerly Bongrain)
  16. Kraft Foods
  17. Meiji
  18. Schreiber Foods
  19. Land O’Lakes
  20. Muller