While the U.S. has exported more dairy products in 10 of the last 11 years, not one of America's dairy companies ranks among the world's top five in sales, according to Rabobank's most recent Global Dairy Top 20 list. Those "Top Five" positions are held by four European-based companies along with New Zealand's major play - Fonterra.
The lack of market clout on the global stage hasn't dampened U.S. dairy exports at this point. At the same time, the plentiful number of dairy processors and cooperatives in the U.S. - when compared to the less competitive fields in Europe and New Zealand - have left more buyers competing for our milk in the States. That's definitely a good thing if you rely on a milk check for your income.
As for the top U.S.-based companies and their rank on the world stage:
• No. 6: Dairy Farmers of America, $14.8 billion in sales
• No. 9: Dean Foods, $8.6 billion
• No. 17: Kraft Foods, $5.8 billion
• No. 19: Schreiber Foods, $5 billion
Both Dean and Kraft Foods fell one position on global rankings compared to the prior year. (Those companies ranked No. 8 and No. 16, respectively, in 2013, according to Rabobank).
Now for the world's "Top Five":
• No. 1: Nestlé, Switzerland, $28.3 billion in sales
• No. 2: Danone, France, $20.2 billion
• No. 3: Lactalis, France, $19.4 billion
• No. 4: Fonterra, New Zealand, $15.3 billion
• No. 5: FrieslandCampina, Netherlands, $14.9 billion
To review Rabobank's Global Dairy Top 20, click here to review the file.
