Press release

Investigation into the UK dairy sector 2002-2003

Arla Foods press release

Investigation into the UK dairy sector 2002-2003

More than four years ago, the UK competition authority, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), launched an investigation into certain increases in the price of UK produced fresh milk, butter and cheese relating to the period 2002 to 2003. The investigation relates to a period during which UK dairy farmers had been suffering from falling returns and unsustainable prices over several years. These market developments were in the public domain and reported in the national press.


Today, the OFT announced that it has issued its provisional findings after a review of the case (known as a Statement of Objections), to the parties involved. This is a very complex case and Arla is still in the process of reviewing the details and will submit its views to the OFT in due course. 

Arla is fundamentally opposed to any practice that is unfair and takes stringent steps to ensure nationally applicable laws are followed. Arla has built its position as one of the EU's leading dairy foods producers by quality, service and choice and fully supports a transparent fair and open market place.

Arla Foods UK plc is home to some of the UK’s leading dairy brands including Cravendale, Lurpak and Anchor. Processing approximately two billion litres of milk a year Arla continues to be one of the UK’s leading dairy companies and a supplier of fresh liquid milk and cream to the top seven retailers.

Over 2,500 daily deliveries are made directly to stores nationwide and Arla brands can be found across the dairy category. As well as the leader of the butter, spreads and margarine sector, and a major supplier of other added value products including flavoured milk and cheese, Arla continues to build working relationships with Arla Foods Milk Partnership, a unique group of dairy farmers, which supplies around 90 per cent of Arla's total milk requirements.

Behind this leading business is a team of circa 2,800 people across the UK located at our dairies, distribution centres and head office.

Press contact

Primary

Arla Foods UK Press Office

Arla UK (media queries only, no new business or sponsorship requests)

felicity.callaghan@arlafoods.com 07966136112