Conaprole: Uruguay's Dairy Giant
Conaprole, officially known as the Cooperative Nacional de Productores de Leche, is the largest dairy company in Uruguay. Headquartered in Montevideo, this cooperative is integral to processing a significant portion of the country's milk production. It operates state-of-the-art facilities located in San José and Canelones, ensuring high production efficiency and quality standards.
Financial Indicators
Conaprole demonstrates robust financial health, with annual revenues reaching approximately USD 1 billion. A substantial portion of its products is exported to key international markets, including Brazil, China, and Russia, underscoring its financial stability and extensive market reach.
Important Company Events
Recently, Conaprole has faced several challenges, including reduced milk deliveries due to adverse weather and market fluctuations, impacting its production capabilities. The closure of its Rivera plant led to labor disputes, union strikes, and the loss of 69,000 kilos of whey, affecting both production and international commitments. Additionally, the detection of chlorate in milk necessitated corrective measures to ensure product safety.
Company Plans
Conaprole is committed to enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability. The cooperative plans to invest in advanced agricultural technologies to support farmers and develop new dairy products to align with consumer preferences. It is exploring potential partnerships with China to export whole milk powder, aiming to increase export volumes and improve financial performance.
In its sustainability efforts, Conaprole has launched a recycling program for ice cream packaging in collaboration with Atma and Nuevocentro Shopping, contributing to social causes. The "Programa Tambo Sustentable" emphasizes sustainable dairy farming practices, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Conaprole anticipates closing 2025 with record production levels of 1.610 billion liters of milk, driven by increased demand and strategic operational improvements. In January 2026, the cooperative reported a 10% increase in milk deliveries following a record production year in 2025. Despite challenging weather conditions, Conaprole has maintained its output, highlighting its operational capabilities and significance in Uruguay's dairy sector.
The cooperative announced an estimated milk price of 16.04 pesos per liter for January and February 2026, reflecting the influence of international markets and exchange rates on producer payments. Conaprole is a significant player in Uruguay's dairy export sector and is currently under investigation by the Brazilian government for alleged dumping practices, which it denies. The company is closely monitoring changes in China's dairy import patterns and has submitted a defense against preliminary findings to prevent countervailing duties.
Conaprole has set a strategy to maintain current prices for producers until the end of the fiscal year on July 31 and focuses on market expansion into Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. The cooperative aims to preserve current price levels rather than increasing the base price, exploring market diversification opportunities, and focusing on operational caution and commercial security.
One proposal under consideration is to redirect the physical shipment of milk solids directly to Conaprole. This proposal has become the primary option for ensuring the survival of the local dairy sector.
Conaprole is a cooperative capable of providing Russia with the assurance of quality and safety in their shipments. Gabriel Fernández, President of Conaprole, highlighted the rigorous control and traceability systems ensuring quality from raw materials to the final product. He emphasized the responsible use of veterinary products and adherence to withdrawal periods before milk delivery.
Conaprole is focused on restoring its butter exports to Russia, a historically significant market.
Modified: 2026/06/08