Press release

​The Danish Crown Prince opens Arla’s new business region in Asia

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik from Denmark opens the new Arla office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today. It will be the main office for all of the company’s activities in Asia and a regional leader will set the strategy for all activities within retail and foodservice in Asia.

The opening takes place today and representatives from Malaysian Ministries and European embassies will be present. The Danish Crown Prince Frederik will give the opening address, after which Arla’s products will be presented and sampled.

“We are very proud that the Crown Prince is opening our new head office in Kuala Lumpur. This sends a strong signal about our ambitious plans for the Asian market,” says Jesper Colding, senior vice president for Arla’s Asian business unit.

Similarities can create synergies

With a population of 2.3 billion, Asia is crucial to Arla’s future growth. Moreover, Asia has a raw milk deficit which presents Arla with significant opportunities for dairy export as there is strong demand for dairy products.

China has been a strategic growth market for Arla for many years, while South East Asia (SEA) has been identified as a region that has the potential to become a new strategic growth market. For this reason, Arla will focus on China first and foremost but there are many similarities between the Asian markets, which the company hopes to take advantage of.

“The Asian markets are growing in affluence and have an increasing awareness of the importance of good health and the need for a choice of nutritious products. There is a growing appetite for family nutrition products, such as long-life milk and infant formula and for a variety of different cheeses. This presents us with strong possibilities for establishing synergies within our brand and product portfolio, marketing activities and innovation,” says Jesper Colding.

In 2015 Arla expects its turnover in Asia to be 130 million euro.

Arla Foods is a global dairy company and co-operative owned by 13,500 dairy farmers circa 3,000 of whom are British.　

Dating back to 1881, Arla’s purpose is to secure the highest value for its farmers’ milk, while creating opportunities for their growth. With production facilities in 11 countries and sales offices in a further 30, Arla is the world’s sixth largest dairy company and largest supplier of organic dairy products.　 Arla has a total of more than 18,000 colleagues and its products are sold under the well-known brands Arla®, Lurpak® and Castello® in more than 100 countries.

Arla Foods UK is the largest dairy company in the country and is home to leading dairy brands Anchor, Cravendale, and Lactofree. It has a turnover of £2.3 billion. As well as being number one in fresh liquid milk, butter, spreads and cream, Arla is the UK’s largest cheese manufacturer. It has also built the world’s largest fresh milk facility located at Aylesbury and has plans for it to be the first zero carbon site of its kind. The UK business has a team of approximately 4,000 colleagues located at its dairies, distribution centres and head office.

Press contact

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Arla Foods UK Press Office

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

felicity.callaghan@arlafoods.com 07966136112