Organic milk is once again in demand among farmers and processors

According to the biological Milk Price Calculator in the Netherlands, Arla paid the highest milk price in 2025, followed by Eko-Holland. Throughout the year, the difference with conventional milk prices increased significantly. Market insiders do not expect a crash for 2026, as occurred with conventional milk. This is increasing the interest in switching to organic again. Both among processors and farmers. The average organic milk price for all of 2025 was €67.49 per 100 kilos. Arla tops the list with an average milk price for the year of €69.68 per 100 kilos, although this price applies only to a limited number of Dutch dairy farmers. The Scandinavian dairy cooperative is indeed large in organic dairy, but has a relatively small (organic) milk pool in the Netherlands. Just behind Arla is Eko-Holland. The difference between FrieslandCampina, A-ware, and Vreugdenhil is minimal at €0.11 per 100 kilos. In the cooperatives Arla, Eko-Holland, and FrieslandCampina, members have visibility on a supplementary payment for 2025. Processor Avg. organic milk price 2025 Arla €69.68 Eko-Holland €68.19 FrieslandCampina €66.58 A-ware €66.53 Vreugenhil €66.47 Growing difference with conventional 2025 was marked by rising organic milk prices. The difference between the conventional and organic guaranteed price averaged €12.64 per 100 kilos. In January, the difference was still €7.50, but after the summer, this quickly increased due to a significant drop in conventional milk prices. In December, the difference had risen to €25 per 100 kilos. This marked the largest price difference between organic and conventional in years. More interest The increasing price difference has renewed interest among conventional dairy farmers to switch to organic. Concrete inquiries are being made, confirms René Cruijsen, chairman of Eko-Holland. After several calm years with stable membership numbers, he sees interest increasing again. According to him, there is room for about 20% growth, which equates to 40 to 50 new dairy farmers. FrieslandCampina also has room for growth, as the market for organic dairy is steadily increasing. There is no longer a waiting list for organic members, as there was previously. In recent years, dairy farmers had been more cautious. Additionally, Klaas de Jong, COO of A-ware, recently indicated that they are actively looking for additional organic milk. In 2026, the company wants to focus more on organic, making it a new priority. Outlook 2026 However, the organic market is not completely immune to price pressure in the conventional segment. For February, the organic guaranteed price has been significantly lowered, and other processors are expected to follow this example. According to Cruijsen, who is responsible for sales at Eko-Holland, major price drops are likely to be avoided. There is some pressure on the fat side, particularly on cream, but that is far less extreme than with conventional dairy. Historically, the organic milk price often follows the pattern of the conventional market, albeit with less sharp movements.