DMK Group's Strong Financial Year and Planned Merger with Arla

In 2025, DMK Group, Germany's largest dairy cooperative, experienced a successful financial year with a revenue increase to €5.3 billion from the previous year's €5.1 billion. The cooperative's equity ratio improved to 37.9%, up from 35.4% in the previous year, while the net result was €24 million, slightly down from €24.6 million. DMK also constructed a new natural cheese warehouse in Hoogeveen and expanded capacities at its Edewecht and Altentreptow sites.

DMK set ambitious climate targets, aiming to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 25%, FLAG emissions by 30.3%, and combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030. The cooperative paid its farmer members an average milk price of €0.514 per kilogram, including bonuses, compared to €0.4731 in the previous year.

Looking ahead to 2026, DMK plans to merge with Arla, a move approved by both companies in June 2025. The merger aims to combine the two leading European dairy cooperatives to enhance long-term resilience and innovation in the industry. Regulatory reviews of the merger are expected to conclude in the first half of 2026.

Ingo Müller, CEO of DMK Group, emphasized the importance of maintaining stable operations and ensuring a reliable supply of dairy products while proceeding with the merger. Despite challenges in the market environment, the company foresees a gradual rebalancing of supply and demand over the year, supported by European market demand and international competitiveness.