Arla Foods acquires White Clover Dairy in the US

Local production of certain speciality cheese will complement Arla�s significant exports of Danish speciality cheese in the American market.

In many ways the move has similarities to the purchase of the Canadian speciality cheese producer, National Cheese Company, in November 2004.

By buying White Clover, Arla acquires production of added value edam and gouda, which is sold at a premium and, therefore, dovetails well with Arla�s current range, which comprises havarti, feta and Danish blue.

Although initially, production will amount to approx. 5,000 tons cheese, this can be increased to 15,000 tons, providing opportunities for production of other speciality cheeses.

Over the past 10 years, the speciality cheese market in the US has grown by 8% per year. For a number of years, Arla Foods has been pursuing a successful added value strategy in the US. Arla�s main market in the US is the retail sector, where the company is on course to achieving solid brand positions for Rosenborg, Dofino, Denmark�s Finest and Lurpak.