Companies: three of the 10 highest-grossing dairy companies in the world are located in Córdoba

An international report revealed that three of the ten highest-grossing dairy companies in the world have plants in Córdoba, in the so-called dairy basin of the country, which also includes part of Santa Fe.

This includes  Nestlé, which operates in Villa Nueva, very close to Villa María and is ranked second globally behind French company Lactalis.

The Villa Nueva plant, located about 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Córdoba's capital, has 189 employees and is mainly dedicated to milk production.

The factory, which experienced financial problems at the beginning of the year,  produces whole milk powder, instant milk powder, skimmed milk powder, and UHT milks (from English Ultra-High Temperature, high-temperature treatment), among others.

The fourth and tenth place in the global ranking

Danish cooperative Arla Foods holds fourth place on the list. This factory  is located in Porteña, in the San Justo department, where it processes cheese whey and exports all of it.

Meanwhile, Canadian company Saputo, which has one of its plants in Tío Pujio, near Villa María, is tenth.

This company operates more than 67 plants distributed across Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia, and the United Kingdom, employs 19,600 people, and distributes its products in more than 60 countries under well-known brands such as Frigo Cheese Heads, Montchevre, Armstrong, Cathedral City, and La Paulina, among others.

Saputo's entry into the Argentine market was completed in 2003, with the purchase of Molfino Hermanos, then the country's third-largest milk processor, which was under the control of the nationally owned Pérez Companc Group, and for which it paid more than 50 million dollars.

The ranking was prepared by Dutch bank Rabobank and published by the Argentine Dairy Chain Observatory (Ocla).

The report listed the 20 largest dairy companies in the world according to their revenue.

RaboResearch's annual Global Dairy Top 20 report

The annual Global Dairy Top 20 report by RaboResearch highlights the financial performance of leading companies in one of the world's most valuable food sectors.

In 2024, the combined revenue of the 20 companies in the Global Dairy Top 20 increased by 0.6% in US dollars (see figure 1).

For 2025, RaboResearch forecasts an additional 0.5% growth in revenue, based on the current list of the top 20, but this figure could vary significantly due to pending mergers and acquisitions, currency fluctuations, and regional milk price trends. Eight companies exchanged positions on this year's list.

Looking ahead, it is expected that approximately half of the publicly traded companies will maintain their positions in 2026.

Significant merger and acquisition activity is anticipated, which will lead to major changes next year, such as the FrieslandCampina-Milcobel merger, the Arla Foods-Deutsche Milchkontor (DMK) merger, the integration of Yoplait into Lactalis and Sodiaal, and Unilever's divestment of its ice cream business.

RaboResearch expects Unilever and DMK to leave the ranking next year, leaving two spots available.

Based on current performance and market activity, Magnum (Unilever's divestment) and Emmi are strong candidates to fill these vacancies.