Top 10 Dairy Companies and Brands in the World in 2024

Top Dairy Companies and brands in the World in 2024 are flourishing at an incredible rate and showing stellar performances in terms of higher brand valuation, greater annual revenues and strong sales figures.

The journey of the dairy producers has been incredible as they have been able to meet the rising global demand successfully. The leading dairy companies are the ones that have made a firm commitment to quality products for healthy lifestyles.

Technical upgrades, strict guidelines, high standards, advanced solutions, growing income and changing attitudes of consumers toward nourishing food are responsible for the growth of the dairy industry all over the world.

Top Dairy Companies in the World in 2024

1. Yili Group

• Origin Country: China
• Founded: 1993
• Headquarters: Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
• Annual Revenue in Q1, 2023: CNY 33.4 billion
• Net Income in Q1, 2023: CNY 3.615 billion
• Market Cap in 2023: $44.56 billion USD
• Brand Valuation in 2023: $12.594 billion USD

The Chinese manufacturing and distribution company Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group is one of the largest dairy companies and food brands in the world in 2024. Yili Group is delivering 100 million products globally every day and serving 1.1 billion Chinese consumers annually. The company manufactures a wide range of dairy products, including fluid milk, milk powder, yogurt, shakes, cheese, and iced treats.

The Chinese manufacturing and distribution company Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group is one of the largest dairy companies and food brands in the world.

Structural upgrading, technical upgradation and high-quality products have helped the dairy farm to become the top dairy company in the global dairy industry. The company is highly active across all dairy categories and has remained the leading position for eight consecutive years.

Currently, Yili has built a global resource system covering Asia, Europe, the Americas, Oceania and other dairy regions, with over 2,000 global partners on 6 continents and in 39 countries. The company has 15 R&D and innovation centers and 75 production bases worldwide, and its products are sold to more than 60 countries and regions.

Yili Group is one of the largest dairy processors in China alongside Mengniu Dairy in the dairy industry and deals in both manufacturing and processing of shelf-stable dairy products and milk products like fresh milk, fluid milk, infant formula, sterilized milk, milk tea powder, ice cream, powdered milk, organic milk, yoghurt and organic milk powder.

2. Danone

• Origin Country: France
• Founder: Issac Carasso
• Founded: 1919
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Employees: 105,000
• Annual Revenue in 2023: €27.9b (half yearly)
• Net Income in 2023: $2.1 billion
• Market Value in 2023: $45.795 billion
• Market Cap: $35.59 billion
• Brand Valuation in 2023: $8.488 billion

Danone is a French multinational food-products corporation that was founded in 1919 in Barcelona, Spain. It is a leading global food and beverage company built on four businesses: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition, and Medical Nutrition. Danone’s vision is “Danone, One Planet. One Health,” which reflects a strong belief that the health of people and the health of the planet are interconnected.

Danone has a portfolio of purpose-led brands focused on four business lines: essential dairy and plant-based products, waters, early life nutrition, and advanced medical nutrition. Some of Danone’s well-known brands include Dannon, Bonafont, Cow & Gate, Horizon Organic, and Silk.

Danone is a global company with operations in various regions around the world, including the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The company is headquartered in Paris, France

3. China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited

• Origin Country: China
• Founder: Niu Gensheng
• Founded: 1999
• Headquarters: Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
• Employees: 120,000
• Annual Revenue in 2022: 92.5 billion yuan 
• Net Income in 2023: $2.2 billion USD
• Market Value in 2023: $42.795 billion USD
• Market Cap: $32.59 billion USD
• Brand Valuation in 2023: $9.860 billion USD

China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited is a Chinese manufacturing and distribution company of dairy products and ice cream. The company is headquartered in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China, and manufactures dairy products under the Mengniu brand. Mengniu is a leader in China’s dairy industry and is focused on providing nutritious, healthy, and delicious products to Chinese and global consumers

The holding company China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited is one of the leading dairy companies and ice cream businesses in the world. It markets its dairy products and ice cream products under the parent brand Mengniu Dairy and several other brands like Infant Milk Formula and Ice+.

Mengniu Dairy operates through various segments like The Liquid Milk Products business which is involved in the production and distribution of UHT milk, room temperature yoghurt, chilled yoghurt, fresh milk, chilled milk beverage and room temperature milk beverages. The Ice Cream Business segment includes ice creams and The Milk Powder Products segment produces infant milk formula, milk powder and milk tablets.

The Chinese manufacturing and distribution company Mengniu Dairy is the largest dairy company in China alongside Yili Group and sells its innovative dairy products in the global dairy market. The dairy company also sells plant-based nutrition products, organic milk, organic fresh milk and cheese products like organic cheese, casual cheese and cheese milk sticks.

4. Arla Foods

• Origin Country: Denmark
• Founders: Peder Ibsen, J.C. Jacobsen
• Founded: 1888
• Headquarters: Viby J, Denmark
• Employees: 18,000
• Annual Revenue in 2022: 13.79 billion euros 
• Net Income in 2023: $1.9 billion USD
• Market Value in 2023: $41.795 billion USD
• Market Cap: $31.59 billion USD
• Brand Valuation in 2023: $8.860 billion USD

The Danish-Swedish dairy producer Arla Foods was formed by the merger of dairy cooperative Arla and one of the largest dairy companies MD Foods. Arla Foods is headquartered in Viby, Denmark.It has spread its presence in the global dairy market with help of its subsidiaries Arla Foods UK and Arla Foods Finland. Arla Foods is the fifth-largest dairy company in the world and is owned by more than 12,500 dairy farmers.

Arla Foods has the distinction of being the largest dairy company in the United Kingdom and the largest dairy producer of dairy products in Scandinavia. It is the fourth largest dairy farm in the world based on milk volume. They have a wide range of brands, including Arla, Castello, Arla Pro, Dofino, Puck, Lurpak, and Milex.

Arla Foods has spread its product presence to several countries and sells quality dairy products in China through Mengniu Dairy, in the USA via Dairy Farmers of America and in the UK by Volac.

The quality dairy products of Arla Foods include butter, spreads, blue cheese, flavoured milk, fresh whole milk, yoghurt, fat-free skimmed milk, yellow cheese, milk-based dairy ingredients and nutritional milk proteins.

5. Amul

• Origin Country: India
• Founder: Tribhuvandas Patel
• Owner: Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, Ministry of Cooperation and Government of Gujarat
• Founded: 1946
• Headquarters: Anand, Gujarat, India
• Employees in 2023: 1,000 (marketing team), 3.6 million (milk producing members or dairy farmers)
• Annual Revenue in 2023: $7.2 billion USD (55,055 crore)
• Sales Turnover in 2023: 680 billion INR
• Brand Valuation in 2023: $3.412 billion USD

The dairy cooperative Amul is the largest dairy company in India and one of the leading dairy processors in the global dairy market. The cooperative brand is managed by GCMMF and controlled by milk unions from 13 districts and 3.6 million milk producers which are spread across 13,000 villages in Gujarat. Amul is an Indian cooperative society named Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation based in Anand, Gujarat.

Amul products are available in over 500,000 retail outlets across India through its network of over 3,500 distributors. Amul operates through 76 sales offices and has a dealer network of 10,000 dealers and 10 lakh retailers, making it one of the largest such networks in India.

India’s White Revolution is a credit to Amul as it has made the country the largest milk product and milk producer in the dairy industry. Amul is a renowned cooperative society that has revolutionized the dairy industry in India. It has empowered farmers, provided quality dairy products to consumers, and set an example for cooperative models worldwide.

Amul offers a wide range of dairy products, including milk, butter, bread spreads, cheese, paneer, dahi (yogurt), and more. They also have a range of other products such as ice cream, ghee, chocolates, and bakery products. Amul is known for its high-quality and affordable dairy products.

6. Vinamilk

• Origin Country: Vietnam
• Founded: 1976
• Headquarters: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Employees: 64,000+
• Net Worth: $26.34 million USD
• Total Revenue in Q1 2023: 63.38 trillion VND (2.7 million USD)
• Net Sales in Q1 2023: VND 16.08 trillion
• Gross Profit in Q1 2023: VND 6.78 trillion
• Brand Valuation in 2023: $3.860 billion USD

Vinamilk is the largest dairy farm in Vietnam and one of the largest dairy companies in the global dairy market. It has a worldwide presence and is associated with dairy products and juice industries. Vinamilk is present in nearly 60 countries and territories. It is the only representative of Southeast Asia in the “World’s top 50 dairy producers”. Vinamilk products are exported to the Middle East, Cambodia, the Philippines, Australia, and other countries

Vinamilk has a history of over 45 years of sustainable development. It has made significant contributions to the development of Vietnam’s dairy industry and has established its position in the world. Vinamilk is proud to be a national brand and has been recognized as one of the “World’s Top 10 Most Valuable Dairy Brands” and “World’s Top 36 Dairy Producer by revenue”.

Vinamilk offers more than 250 products, catering to various nutritional needs. Vinamilk is involved in the distribution and production of condensed milk, country fresh milk, powdered milk, probiotics, fluid milk, yoghurts, soya milk, ice cream, milk products, coffee, fruit juice(non-alcoholic beverages) and different types of cheese like cream cheese and natural cheese. Vinamilk is dedicated to bringing optimal nutrition for the physical and intellectual health development of Vietnamese generations.

7. Almarai

• Origin Country: Saudi Arabia
• Founder: Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer
• Founded: 1977
• Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Production Capacity: 4.5 million litres of milk daily
• Revenue in Q1 2023 : SAR 5,066.56 million
• Net Profit in Q1 2023: SAR 445.2 million
• Market Cap in 2023: $16.48 billion USD
• Brand Valuation in 2023: $3.213 billion USD

Almarai is a Saudi multinational dairy company that specializes in food and beverage manufacturing and distribution. Almarai is the Middle East’s largest food and beverage manufacturer and distributor. They offer a wide range of fresh and high-quality dairy, juice, bakery, and poultry products.

Almarai’s product portfolio includes milk and other dairy products such as milkshake, cream, yogurts, cheese, butter, and desserts. They also offer bakery products, juices, fresh and frozen chicken, breads, nutrition supplements, and infant formulas. Almarai markets its products under various brand names, including Almarai, Alyoum, L’usine, 7Days, Evolac, Joosy Life, Beyti, Refresh, One Bean Coffee, Vetal, Ice Leaf, Almira, Teeba, Albashayer, and Nuralac

Almarai is the largest dairy farm in Saudi Arabia and the first company reported to be credited with ISO22000. The innovative products portfolio includes dairy products, infant formula, poultry, bakeries, juice and yoghurt.

8. President

• Origin Country: France
•  Founder: Andre Besnier
• Owner: Lactalis
•  Founded: 1933
• Brand Valuation in 2022:  $4.013 billion USD

Président is a French dairy brand owned by Lactalis of Laval, Mayenne. The brand was created in 1933 by André Besnier, who was already a leading figure in the French dairy business. Président is used for butter and for a range of industrially produced versions of traditional cheese. The brand is present in more than 150 countries around the world. It is ranked number 1 position as the biggest cheese brand in Europe and has a product presence of 85% in French households.

The Président brand is known for its award-winning taste and is one of the world’s premier cheesemakers. It is the number one brand of Brie in France and is part of Groupe Lactalis.

The product range of President includes dairy items, UHT whipped cream, fresh cream, sour cream, pastry butter, mozzarella cheese, coats cheese, and natural cheese spread.

9. Yakult Honsha Company Limited

• Origin Country: Japan
• Founder: Minoru Shirota
• Founded: 1955
• Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
• Revenue in March 2023: 872.18M
  
• Net Income in March 2023: JPY 50,641 million
• Market Cap in 2023: $9.265 billion USD
• Brand Valuation in 2023: $2.344 billion USD

The Japanese corporation Yakult Honsha Company Limited was founded in 1955 to sell its flagship product, Yakult, a probiotic beverage made using industrial lactic milk. The company is a pioneer in the field of probiotics and has been providing products that contribute to good health for over 80 years.

Yakult Honsha is a multinational corporation that sells various other products and owns the Tokyo Yakult Swallows baseball team, in addition to the Roaring Raymonds. The company operates in three business segments: Beverages and Food Manufacturing and Sale, Pharmaceuticals, and Others. It was founded to sell Yakult, its flagship beverage made from industrial lactic milk. Yakult Honsha has a network that covers 40 countries and regions.

The company is a pioneer in probiotics and offers products that ensure good health. Its product portfolio includes dairy products that contain probiotics, beverages and functional foods as well as cosmetics that promote healthy skin and therapeutic medicines.

10. Enfamil

• Origin Country: United States of America
• Founder: Mead Johnson
• Founded: 1959
• Headquarters: Evansville, Indiana, USA
• Brand Valuation in 2023: $2.441 billion USD

Enfamil is one of the largest food and dairy companies in America providing nutritional products for infants and children in the global dairy market. The company has the distinction of being the number 1 brand of infant formula and is highly recommended by paediatricians.

Enfamil formulas are designed to support baby milestones, nourish brain development, and more. They contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to support growth and development during the first year and beyond.

Enfamil’s product portfolio includes formula, supplements, vitamins and feeding accessories. The formula offerings cater to special needs and are categorized as allergies, everyday nutrition, special dietary needs, tummy troubles etc.

Conclusion

Dairy products continue to play an important role in the normal diet of an individual as it is considered good for nutrition and health. Milk and related dairy products have helped the top dairy companies in the world in 2024 to create a framework that can meet consumer demands for high-rated products towards a healthy life with success.

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