FrieslandCampina and Milcobel have officially completed their merger, following the strong approval received in December 2025 from the FrieslandCampina Members’ Council and the Extraordinary General Meeting of Milcobel. With both bodies voting in favour by a large majority, the merger took effect on 1 January 2026, marking the start of a new chapter for the two dairy cooperatives.

Commenting on the milestone, Sybren Attema, Chair of the Board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A., said, “We are pleased that the merger has now become a reality. This is a logical and forward-looking step that allows us to join forces, increase our scale and further strengthen our market positions. Together, we are stronger and better positioned for the future.”

Betty Eeckhaut, Chair of the Board of Milcobel, added, “This merger reflects our shared ambition to secure a stable and sustainable future for our member dairy farmers and their successors. By combining our strengths, we enhance our impact and create greater long-term value.”

Full Cooperative Membership for Milcobel Farmers

As of 1 January 2026, Milcobel’s member dairy farmers have become full cooperative members of FrieslandCampina. They now enjoy the same rights and obligations as existing members, including participation in the same milk price system, ensuring equal treatment and representation across the cooperative.

Governance and Leadership Continuity

The integration is being led by the Cooperative’s Board and the Company’s Executive Team. Sybren Attema continues as Chair of the Board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. and Chair of the Supervisory Board of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. Betty Eeckhaut has joined the Cooperative’s Board and now also holds a seat on FrieslandCampina’s Supervisory Board.

Jan Derck van Karnebeek remains CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. As previously announced, Peter Grugeon, former CEO of Milcobel, will join FrieslandCampina’s Executive Team as President of the Professional business group from 1 April 2026, succeeding Roger Loo, who will take over as President of Specialised Nutrition. Harvey Uong will step down from his role as President of Specialised Nutrition on 1 April 2026. The company has expressed its gratitude to Harvey Uong for his leadership and contribution to the growth of the Specialised Nutrition business.

These leadership transitions ensure continuity, stability and strong governance during the integration phase.

Formation of Two New Districts

The merger has resulted in the creation of two new districts within FrieslandCampina:

• Milcobel-West (District 15): Northeast Flanders, Bruges Area, Westhoek, Southwest Flanders and Southeast Flanders

• Milcobel-East (District 16): Kempenland, Northwest Antwerp, Limburg & Brabant, and Cercle Francophone

The district councils will be led by Bram Maes (West) and Vanessa Tindemans-Van Eynde (East). Each council will comprise eight to ten elected dairy farmers and serve as the primary contact point for members within the district. Together, they form part of the Members’ Council, with voting weight determined by milk volume supplied.

Business Integration and Market Impact

Milcobel’s business units are being integrated into FrieslandCampina’s existing business groups, creating a stronger, internationally operating dairy company with a broad and complementary product portfolio. The combined organisation strengthens its position in Europe and beyond, offering customers a wider range of products, enhanced innovation capabilities and a reliable, sustainable partner for high-quality dairy solutions.

The scale and expertise of the merged cooperative will enable faster responses to evolving market demands, while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and value creation. The company’s headquarters will remain in Amersfoort.

Source: FrieslandCampina