First Milk joins forces with NZ dairy giant

First Milk has joined forces with New Zealand-based dairy co-op Fonterra in a project that aims to make better use of the whey produced during cheese production.

The joint venture will see whey from First Milk’s Lake District creamery in Cumbria be used to supply Fonterra’s growing European food ingredients business.

It allows Fonterra to use more “local sourcing” for its European customers and should allow First Milk to add value to the whey stream and ultimately improve returns for farmer members. It is also hoped it will allow increased cheese production at the Cumbria site.

“Obviously the UK market remains the bedrock of our business. However, it is also important that we explore opportunities, such as this one with Fonterra, that have the potential to deliver enhanced returns for our dairy farmers,” said First Milk chief executive Kate Allum.

“While this is our first step into added value whey markets, it builds on the work we have done recently with a range of partners across the supply chain to deliver pioneering solutions.”

Fonterra Europe’s managing director Koert Liekelema added: “This deal underpins Fonterra’s strategic focus on premium ingredients, in particular milk and whey proteins. Furthermore, we are very pleased to secure First Milk’s whey protein, enabling Fonterra to offer custom-made, premium whey protein ingredients to the major food companies in Europe.”