Van Bakel places milk sales with trader Geris

The Dutch dairy trade is gaining a new player with Artemis Milkproducts, part of the Geris Food Group. On the basis of long-term agreements with Vreba Melkvee, owned by the Van Bakel family, the new company immediately secures access to milk streams. Artemis Milkproducts is a 100% subsidiary within the Geris Food Group and focuses on the international trade in liquid dairy streams, including cream, whey and milk concentrate. The company is based in Vredepeel and is led by Gerbrand van Veldhuizen, co-CEO of Geris. He tells Boerenbusiness that the backward integration in the chain fits within a broader strategy. By being closer to the milk stream, the operating companies within Geris get more control over the raw material that forms the basis of products such as cheese and butter. This shifts the company’s focus toward the front of the chain. This step cannot be seen separately from the expected decline in Dutch milk production, although the spot market is currently marked by surpluses. Milk from Vreba A key role is reserved for Vreba Melkvee, one of the larger dairy farms in the Netherlands with around 2,250 cows. Agreements have been made with this company about the supply of milk. The cooperation builds on the existing relationship between Geris and the Van Bakel group. In addition to this fixed stream, Artemis will also buy, process and trade milk from other parties. For processing, use will be made in part of Farmer House Products, also affiliated with Van Bakel. This company specializes in the production of lactoferrin from cow's milk, a high-value ingredient for, among other things, baby food. Geris has no stake in this company, but will make use of the production capacity.