Mlekpol exports approximately 30% of its production and operates in over 100 countries. What is your current export strategy – which markets are the most significant for you and why?
Our export strategy is based on diversification – both geographical and product range. This approach means that we are not dependent on a single direction or product category in foreign trade, which gives us stability and flexibility in responding to changing conditions.
The European Union remains, of course, our natural and most important market. Geographical proximity, a common economic area and similar culinary preferences are conducive to sales, especially as road transport can be used effectively here. We are also strongly developing our presence in the Balkan countries, where our cheeses, butter and cream cheeses are highly appreciated.
At the same time, we are consistently building our position in non-European markets. Countries in Africa, the Middle East and South-East Asia are becoming increasingly important to us – regions with dynamic demographic growth, growing consumption of dairy products and limited domestic production. We focus primarily on selling products with a long shelf life, such as UHT milk under the Łaciate, Happy Barn and Milcasa brands, as well as cheese, especially mozzarella.
In recent months, we have also seen some prospects in Central and South America.
Which brands from Mlekpol’s portfolio are most valued outside Poland – both in Europe and in the markets of Asia, Africa and the Americas?
Our strongest and most recognisable export brand is, of course, Łaciate, which is present in over 100 countries on six continents, from Scandinavia to Southeast Asia. At the same time, we are developing our export milk brands, Happy Barn and Milcasa.
We also work with private labels, especially where this allows us to enter new markets more effectively and build relationships with business partners. Regardless of the form of cooperation, however, our priority remains to provide our customers with the highest quality products that deserve their trust and meet local needs.
Products with a longer shelf life are particularly important for export. What technological and product solutions make Mlekpol’s offer competitive in distant markets?
Mlekpol’s competitiveness in distant markets is primarily due to the use of advanced technological solutions that guarantee the durability and highest quality of our products.
A significant advantage of Mlekpol is its modern UHT milk production line, which, when stored at ambient temperature, retains its freshness and nutritional properties for up to 12 months. This is the result of advanced research into raw materials and finished products, which has made it possible to obtain milk with better parameters and a longer shelf life. This solution is important in distant countries, where refrigeration infrastructure in transport and logistics can be expensive and limited, and the demand for safe food with a long shelf life remains very high.
Other products with a long shelf life are also important in the export structure: butter, mature cheeses, cream cheeses and a full range of powdered products. For butter, we have developed, among other things, a new production technology that allows us to obtain excellent physicochemical and taste properties without the need for physical maturation of the cream.
Expansion into international markets requires adapting products to local preferences and regulations. How does Mlekpol deal with the personalisation of its offer and the differences between individual markets?
It is necessary to take an individual approach to each business partner – we work with both large retail chains and smaller local distributors, adapting our offer to their specific needs.
The foundation of effective personalisation is the most accurate and direct knowledge of local markets possible. Therefore, despite the significant development of other communication channels, it is still necessary to be present at international trade fairs – this year we were in Dubai, Milan, Cologne and Bangkok, among other places. Over there we meet potential partners who can introduce our products to the right distribution channels and help us understand local expectations.
High-protein, lactose-free products and more ‘personalised’ solutions are growing in popularity in Poland. Are you seeing similar trends in foreign markets?
Indeed, we are seeing very dynamic growth in interest in functional products, including high-protein products, on the Polish market. Our Łaciate Protein+ line and Łaciate functional yoghurts with magnesium and biotin are a perfect fit for these expectations. Equally important is the growing interest in lactose-free products. In response to these needs, we have recently expanded our range to include, among other things, natural lactose-free Mrągowska buttermilk and lactose-free Greek-style yoghurt under Łaciate brand.
However, we are seeing slightly different preferences in distant foreign markets. The key factor is the shelf life of products at ambient temperature. In many countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas, there is a growing demand for products with a high fat content, such as butter, cream and cheese.
New products are often a response to market demands. What role do new products and innovations play in your portfolio and how do they respond to the needs of consumers in Poland and abroad?
Product innovations are an important part of any development strategy and, in order to be successful, they should respond to specific consumer needs. We do not create new products in isolation from the market – decisions to introduce new products are based on listening to consumer expectations and analysing trends.
We greatly value our cooperation with the Dairy Industry Innovation Institute in Mrągowo, with which we are working on completely new products and improving existing ones. Combining global trends with local expectations is necessary to effectively develop our portfolio in multiple markets simultaneously.
Modern consumers increasingly expect not only quality, but also sustainable and transparent solutions. How is Mlekpol responding to this trend?
For Mlekpol, sustainable development is a consciously pursued, long-term direction of action, embedded in the strategy of the entire organisation. It has included and continues to include a number of smaller and larger investments, such as the launch of a modern biogas plant at the company’s sewage treatment plant in Grajewo. This installation uses organic waste from the processing process and sludge from the treatment plant, converting it into green electricity and heat, as well as organic fertiliser used locally by farmers.
Transparency and responsibility also apply to, among other things, the origin of the raw material. We obtain milk daily from nearly 7,400 suppliers – Polish farmers who are members of the Cooperative. The short time between collection and processing ensures the safety and freshness of our products. This local cooperation and control over the supply chain enable us to guarantee our consumers healthy and tasty products of the highest quality.
From an export perspective, which product segments do you think have the greatest growth potential?
We see significant growth potential in cheese, for example, due to demand in Asia, but also in African countries and the Americas. It is not without reason that we have recently launched one of the largest investments in recent years – the expansion of the plant in Grajewo in the part dedicated to the production of cheese packaged in a protective atmosphere. This is a project worth many millions of PLN, planned for the years 2025-2029.
The second segment with significant growth potential is UHT milk. As I have already pointed out, in regions with dynamic demographic growth and limited domestic production – such as Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America – the demand for safe food with a long shelf life will grow steadily.
Looking ahead, what directions does Mlekpol plan to take in terms of export development and product portfolio in the coming years? How will they respond to the changing needs of foreign markets?
In the coming years, Mlekpol plans to develop based on three pillars: modern technologies, sustainable development and further strengthening its position on international markets. We are continuing our strategy of geographical diversification, intensifying our presence in regions with the highest growth potential, while strengthening our position in Europe. At the same time, we are developing our portfolio – both in functional segments that respond to the changing needs of geographically closer consumers and in categories with high export potential.
It is essential to maintain a balance between production scale and environmental and social responsibility. After all, supply chain transparency and pro-environmental activities are and will continue to be not only market expectations, but also increasingly stringent legal requirements. All these activities have one mutual goal – to build a strong, modern organisation that effectively combines tradition with innovation and is ready to meet the demands of current and future generations of consumers, both in Poland and abroad.
Our export strategy is based on diversification – both geographical and product range. This approach means that we are not dependent on a single direction or product category in foreign trade, which gives us stability and flexibility in responding to changing conditions.
The European Union remains, of course, our natural and most important market. Geographical proximity, a common economic area and similar culinary preferences are conducive to sales, especially as road transport can be used effectively here. We are also strongly developing our presence in the Balkan countries, where our cheeses, butter and cream cheeses are highly appreciated.
At the same time, we are consistently building our position in non-European markets. Countries in Africa, the Middle East and South-East Asia are becoming increasingly important to us – regions with dynamic demographic growth, growing consumption of dairy products and limited domestic production. We focus primarily on selling products with a long shelf life, such as UHT milk under the Łaciate, Happy Barn and Milcasa brands, as well as cheese, especially mozzarella.
In recent months, we have also seen some prospects in Central and South America.
Which brands from Mlekpol’s portfolio are most valued outside Poland – both in Europe and in the markets of Asia, Africa and the Americas?
Our strongest and most recognisable export brand is, of course, Łaciate, which is present in over 100 countries on six continents, from Scandinavia to Southeast Asia. At the same time, we are developing our export milk brands, Happy Barn and Milcasa.
We also work with private labels, especially where this allows us to enter new markets more effectively and build relationships with business partners. Regardless of the form of cooperation, however, our priority remains to provide our customers with the highest quality products that deserve their trust and meet local needs.
Products with a longer shelf life are particularly important for export. What technological and product solutions make Mlekpol’s offer competitive in distant markets?
Mlekpol’s competitiveness in distant markets is primarily due to the use of advanced technological solutions that guarantee the durability and highest quality of our products.
A significant advantage of Mlekpol is its modern UHT milk production line, which, when stored at ambient temperature, retains its freshness and nutritional properties for up to 12 months. This is the result of advanced research into raw materials and finished products, which has made it possible to obtain milk with better parameters and a longer shelf life. This solution is important in distant countries, where refrigeration infrastructure in transport and logistics can be expensive and limited, and the demand for safe food with a long shelf life remains very high.
Other products with a long shelf life are also important in the export structure: butter, mature cheeses, cream cheeses and a full range of powdered products. For butter, we have developed, among other things, a new production technology that allows us to obtain excellent physicochemical and taste properties without the need for physical maturation of the cream.
Expansion into international markets requires adapting products to local preferences and regulations. How does Mlekpol deal with the personalisation of its offer and the differences between individual markets?
It is necessary to take an individual approach to each business partner – we work with both large retail chains and smaller local distributors, adapting our offer to their specific needs.
The foundation of effective personalisation is the most accurate and direct knowledge of local markets possible. Therefore, despite the significant development of other communication channels, it is still necessary to be present at international trade fairs – this year we were in Dubai, Milan, Cologne and Bangkok, among other places. Over there we meet potential partners who can introduce our products to the right distribution channels and help us understand local expectations.
High-protein, lactose-free products and more ‘personalised’ solutions are growing in popularity in Poland. Are you seeing similar trends in foreign markets?
Indeed, we are seeing very dynamic growth in interest in functional products, including high-protein products, on the Polish market. Our Łaciate Protein+ line and Łaciate functional yoghurts with magnesium and biotin are a perfect fit for these expectations. Equally important is the growing interest in lactose-free products. In response to these needs, we have recently expanded our range to include, among other things, natural lactose-free Mrągowska buttermilk and lactose-free Greek-style yoghurt under Łaciate brand.
However, we are seeing slightly different preferences in distant foreign markets. The key factor is the shelf life of products at ambient temperature. In many countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas, there is a growing demand for products with a high fat content, such as butter, cream and cheese.
New products are often a response to market demands. What role do new products and innovations play in your portfolio and how do they respond to the needs of consumers in Poland and abroad?
Product innovations are an important part of any development strategy and, in order to be successful, they should respond to specific consumer needs. We do not create new products in isolation from the market – decisions to introduce new products are based on listening to consumer expectations and analysing trends.
We greatly value our cooperation with the Dairy Industry Innovation Institute in Mrągowo, with which we are working on completely new products and improving existing ones. Combining global trends with local expectations is necessary to effectively develop our portfolio in multiple markets simultaneously.
Modern consumers increasingly expect not only quality, but also sustainable and transparent solutions. How is Mlekpol responding to this trend?
For Mlekpol, sustainable development is a consciously pursued, long-term direction of action, embedded in the strategy of the entire organisation. It has included and continues to include a number of smaller and larger investments, such as the launch of a modern biogas plant at the company’s sewage treatment plant in Grajewo. This installation uses organic waste from the processing process and sludge from the treatment plant, converting it into green electricity and heat, as well as organic fertiliser used locally by farmers.
Transparency and responsibility also apply to, among other things, the origin of the raw material. We obtain milk daily from nearly 7,400 suppliers – Polish farmers who are members of the Cooperative. The short time between collection and processing ensures the safety and freshness of our products. This local cooperation and control over the supply chain enable us to guarantee our consumers healthy and tasty products of the highest quality.
From an export perspective, which product segments do you think have the greatest growth potential?
We see significant growth potential in cheese, for example, due to demand in Asia, but also in African countries and the Americas. It is not without reason that we have recently launched one of the largest investments in recent years – the expansion of the plant in Grajewo in the part dedicated to the production of cheese packaged in a protective atmosphere. This is a project worth many millions of PLN, planned for the years 2025-2029.
The second segment with significant growth potential is UHT milk. As I have already pointed out, in regions with dynamic demographic growth and limited domestic production – such as Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America – the demand for safe food with a long shelf life will grow steadily.
Looking ahead, what directions does Mlekpol plan to take in terms of export development and product portfolio in the coming years? How will they respond to the changing needs of foreign markets?
In the coming years, Mlekpol plans to develop based on three pillars: modern technologies, sustainable development and further strengthening its position on international markets. We are continuing our strategy of geographical diversification, intensifying our presence in regions with the highest growth potential, while strengthening our position in Europe. At the same time, we are developing our portfolio – both in functional segments that respond to the changing needs of geographically closer consumers and in categories with high export potential.
It is essential to maintain a balance between production scale and environmental and social responsibility. After all, supply chain transparency and pro-environmental activities are and will continue to be not only market expectations, but also increasingly stringent legal requirements. All these activities have one mutual goal – to build a strong, modern organisation that effectively combines tradition with innovation and is ready to meet the demands of current and future generations of consumers, both in Poland and abroad.
