Co-op milk win relief for Dairy Farmers of Britain

Dairy Farmers of Britain  has retained a large chunk of its contract to supply liquid milk to the Co-op.


DFB started supplying the Co-op’s stores when it took over the business’s dairy processing arm, Associated Co-operative Creameries, in August 2004.


However, the initial contract was due to expire August 2007 and speculation had been mounting that fierce competition would see farmer-owned DFB lose the business.


But DFB announced today (2 March) that it will still be supplying about 200m litres of milk to Co-op stores in England and Wales.


PLC processor Robert Wiseman Dairies will continue to supply Co-op outlets in Devon and Cornwall.


A Wiseman spokesman said it had also won a significant volume of new Co-op business in the south west.


Andrew Cooksey, DFB’s chief executive said the win was good news for the farmers supplying the business.


Strength


“This demonstrates the strength and flexibility of our overall offering and our professional approach in building a long-term sustainable relationship,” he said.


David Messom, director of trading for the Co-operative Retail Trading Group, said co-operative values were core to both businesses.”


No announcement has been made about DFB’s contract to supply Cheddar and territorial cheeses to the Co-op. This also expires in August.


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