Press release -
Müller launches innovative organic programme for supplying farmers
Müller UK & Ireland is placing long-term supply chain resilience at the heart of a new organic milk offering, which it has developed in partnership with its retail partners.
As shopper demand for organic milk continues to increase, the dairy company has created a tailored organic offering, within its existing Müller Advantage programme, designed to drive security of supply by reinvigorating and protecting the long-term viability of its 60 organic dairy suppliers.
Increased farming costs and fluctuating farmgate milk prices have contributed to organic milk production falling since 2020, with some farmers choosing to leave the sector altogether.
With sales of organic milk increasing, the dairy company recognises that the current offering does not deliver the stability, confidence and competitiveness required for long term security of supply.
A new Müller-led pricing model aims to address these industry-wide issues and ensure long term UK security of supply. The model takes into account a wide range of new factors, including fluctuating organic input costs, succession challenges, labour costs and investment required to help reduce on farm emissions.
In addition to the dairy company’s incentivised Müller’s Advantage programme, it will now also develop bespoke workshops to help organic suppliers further reduce emissions on farm.
Eligible organic producers will continue to participate in Müller’s Next Generation and its new Fast Track programme, a groundbreaking initiative targeted at decreasing carbon emissions by introducing real-time data analysis on farm.
With its new approach, the dairy company is confident it can help supplying organic farmers become less exposed to price volatility, creating the conditions to grow and invest in their business, which in turn will provide greater resilience within the supply chain.
The pioneering new offering has been created by Müller in collaboration with its organic supplying farmers, Kite Consulting and Müller’s retail partners.
Richard Collins, Head of Agriculture at Müller Milk & Ingredients said:
“The future of the British organic dairy sector is at risk. Production has gone down over the past five years, with many hard-working farmers either leaving the industry or switching to non-organic methods.
“And as organic demand remains strong, we have to find new solutions, that are fully supported by our retail partners, to protect the long-term security of supply of organic milk.
“With our innovative new offering, it will provide stability, competitiveness and long-term confidence for our organic supplying farmers. If we get that right, it not only builds supply chain resilience, but creates the conditions for further investment and innovation across the sector.”
Adam Stanbury, Müller Milk Group (MMG) board member and organic farmer said:
“It is fantastic Müller have listened to and recognised the unique issues facing its organic supply group.
“They were keen to work with MMG to find a sustainable solution for the whole supply chain. We are hopeful the creation of their unique and innovative pricing model means the challenges in the organic dairy sector can be met.
“This will increase confidence for our organic group of farmers, allowing them to remain in organic production and drive future investment.”
ENDS
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Müller UK & Ireland is wholly owned by Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller, a family run business which employs over 33,000 people throughout Europe.
Servicing customers with strategic partnerships throughout the UK & Ireland, while exporting to over 60 countries internationally, the business develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of branded and private label dairy products made with milk from over 1,000 farmers in Britain, alongside a designated plant-based range.
Müller is one of the ten most chosen FMCG brands in Great Britain, and the most popular dairy brand. It is ranked within the top 20 in The Grocer’s Top 100 list of Britain’s Biggest Brands and is picked from shelves millions of times each year. Müller UK & Ireland includes:
Müller Milk & Ingredients, which aims to build a better dairy future. It produces branded and private label fresh milk, powdered milk, cream, butter, milk drinks and ingredients products, and boasts a network of dairies and depots servicing customers throughout the UK and beyond.
Müller Yogurt & Desserts, which aims to help put a smile on the nation’s face. It is responsible for major brands like Müller Corner, Müller Light, Müller Bliss, Müller Rice, Müller FRijj, Müller X Myprotein, Müller Plant Based and Biotiful Gut Health. It produces chilled desserts and milkshakes under licence from Mondelez International and also supplies the UK private label yogurt market from a dedicated, state of the art yogurt facility.
Müller UK & Ireland’s Sustainability Action Plan outlines how the business is driving positive environmental and social changes. It shows how Müller is already making, and will continue to make, a real difference for the planet, its partners and its people.
