Ambassador of the Polish Dairy Industry on International Markets

Tuesday, 20 October, 2026 Food From Poland 49/2026
Mlekovita combines nearly 100 years of dairy tradition with innovation and today exports its products to more than 120 countries. We spoke with Magdalena Szabłowska, Director of the Foreign Trade Department at Mlekovita, about the company’s international growth, export portfolio and key trends in the global dairy market.
How do you assess Mlekovita’s current position in the domestic and international dairy markets?

Mlekovita is the largest dairy group in Poland in terms of the scale of its operations. The foundation of this success is a stable and steadily growing raw material base. The company procures a record 2.46 billion liters of milk, an increase of 5.4% year over year, from a stable group of 15,000 Polish farmers.

Mlekovita is a company with a long tradition and a well-established brand both in Poland and internationally. It is the largest dairy group in Central and Eastern Europe. Every day, we process the highest-quality milk at 25 production facilities. More than 5,300 qualified employees ensure the highest standards across more than 200 production lines.

Our portfolio includes more than 2,000 dairy products enjoyed not only by Polish consumers but also by customers in more than 120 countries worldwide.

Distribution is supported by 34 company-owned distribution centers, including the industry’s first Cash & Carry warehouses, as well as 150 Mlekovitka company stores and the mlekovitka.pl online store.

Mlekovita has a very broad product portfolio, ranging from UHT milk, cheese and butter to specialized products such as WPC, MPC, milk powders and ingredients for the food industry. The company has well-recognized consumer brands and a strong position in both retail and HoReCa. Internationally, Mlekovita is Poland’s largest exporter of dairy products.

Which Mlekovita products are most popular in international markets?

In recent years, we have seen particularly strong growth in demand for high-protein products such as WPC and milk protein concentrates, ingredients for food manufacturers, products with an extended shelf life and products adapted to local market requirements, including Halal – and Kosher-certified products.

Products that combine high quality, a long shelf life and ease of transportation are especially popular.

One of Mlekovita’s most important export categories is UHT milk, which is the company’s leading export product.

Powdered dairy products are another key category. These include whole and skim milk powder, whey powder, WPC 80 and Fat-Filled Milk Powder. This product group plays an important role in the global food industry.

Ripened cheeses are also significant, particularly Cheddar and cheeses with specific technological or nutritional properties.

Butter and anhydrous milk fat, or AMF, are highly valued by the food processing, bakery and confectionery industries.

Fresh dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, cottage cheese, sour cream and cream cheese are particularly popular in European markets and in countries with well-developed cold-chain logistics.

How important are investments in modern technology, production capacity and product quality for Mlekovita’s future growth?

Investment, production capacity and product quality are three key pillars of Mlekovita’s success in international markets.

Investment allows the company to introduce modern technologies, automate production, increase efficiency and develop new products that meet customer expectations. Mlekovita also carries out industrial projects designed to increase productivity while reducing energy and raw material consumption.

Large production capacity allows us to handle very large orders and ensure on-time deliveries. This is especially important for international retail chains and industrial customers that require stable supplies throughout the year. Thanks to its scale, Mlekovita can also respond flexibly to changes in demand across different markets.

The highest product quality is essential for building customer trust. Compliance with international food quality and safety standards, supported by numerous certifications, ensures that Mlekovita competes not only on price but above all on quality, taste and reliability.

The combination of modern investment, large-scale production and consistently high quality allows Mlekovita to maintain its position as the largest exporter of dairy products in Central and Eastern Europe while continuing to expand sales in more than 120 markets worldwide.

Which trends in the global dairy market are having the greatest impact on the development of Mlekovita’s product portfolio? Is the importance of functional, high-protein or products tailored to specific consumer groups increasing?

The importance of functional and high-protein products is definitely growing.

Protein-rich products designed for physically active consumers are becoming increasingly popular. The same applies to lactose-free products, products with simple ingredient lists and foods enriched with vitamins and nutrients.

Mlekovita is developing these segments through initiatives such as the Super Body Active line, lactose-free products and beverages and foods designed for health-conscious consumers.

We are also seeing significant growth in interest in functional foods.

Another important trend is greater personalization of the product portfolio. Consumers increasingly expect products tailored to their lifestyles and specific needs, including products for athletes, seniors, children and people with lactose intolerance.

Convenient on-the-go packaging, natural ingredients and clean-label products are also becoming increasingly important.

What are Mlekovita’s most important goals and growth priorities for the coming years, particularly when it comes to strengthening the company’s position in international markets?

In the coming years, Mlekovita plans to continue strengthening its position as the largest exporter of dairy products in Central and Eastern Europe. The company’s strategy focuses on several key areas.

One of the main priorities is further export expansion. This includes strengthening our presence in existing markets and entering new ones, particularly in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. Mlekovita products are currently sold in more than 120 countries and exports remain one of the company’s main growth drivers.

Another priority is investment in modern technology, including the development of production lines, automation, digitalization and improvements in plant efficiency. The company reinvests its profits in further modernization and technological development.

Mlekovita also plans to expand its portfolio of higher-value products. Particular attention is being given to functional, high-protein and lactose-free products as well as ingredients for the food industry. These categories are closely aligned with global nutrition trends.

Flexibility is another important element of our strategy. We continue to adapt the product portfolio to local consumer preferences, quality requirements and certification standards so that we can compete effectively with the world’s largest dairy producers.

Sustainability and food safety will also remain key priorities. Mlekovita will continue to invest in solutions that reduce environmental impact while maintaining the highest standards of product quality and safety.

Overall, Mlekovita’s goal is not simply to increase international sales. We want to build a sustainable competitive advantage based on innovation, high quality, flexibility and long-term business partnerships. This will allow the company to maintain its position as one of the world’s leading dairy exporters and continue serving as an ambassador for the Polish dairy industry in international markets.

What role does SIAL Paris play for Mlekovita and what goals has the company set for this year’s edition?

SIAL Paris is one of the most important events in the global food industry. Every two years, it brings together thousands of exhibitors as well as trade professionals, distributors, importers and manufacturers from around the world.

For companies such as Mlekovita, the event is not only an opportunity to present products. More importantly, it is a platform for building new business relationships and developing international sales.

Participation in this year’s edition is particularly important for Mlekovita. It gives the company an opportunity to strengthen its position as one of the leading dairy exporters from Central and Eastern Europe. It also allows us to present innovative products and our broad portfolio of dairy products and ingredients for the food industry.

SIAL is also an important opportunity to meet with existing partners, establish relationships with potential customers from different continents and observe global food trends and changing consumer expectations.

During this year’s event, Mlekovita will focus on expanding exports and entering new markets. Another important goal will be strengthening cooperation with existing business partners.

We will also promote higher-value products such as cheeses, high-protein products, UHT milk and powdered dairy products. At the same time, we want to emphasize quality, food safety, innovation and sustainability. These areas are becoming increasingly important to international customers.

For Mlekovita, SIAL Paris is more than a trade show. It is a strategic platform for strengthening the brand’s global position. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate that the Polish dairy industry can successfully compete with the world’s largest producers and turn business meetings into long-term export partnerships.




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