Mlekovita

Largest exporter of Polish dairy products

Originally Published in April 2017

Mlekovita is the largest dairy group in Central-Eastern Europe in terms of milk processing volume and dairy product sales. As the most valuable brand in the dairy manufacturing sector, Mlekovita produces more than 800 types of products. The group owns 16 manufacturing plants, 30 distribution centers including a wholesale cash and carry center in Warsaw, plus 24 laboratories and a R&D center. In addition to selling products at major retailers, Mlekovita owns more than 100 stores and continues to develop this network. What began as a small cooperative in 1928 now has the highest growth rate of revenues in the dairy industry and is the largest Polish exporter of dairy products to 144 countries, 116 of which are outside of the European Union.

Dating back to a pre-war era, Mlekovita began as a small cheese and butter plant in Wysokie Mazowieckie. In 1950, a district dairy plant was opened which produced sour cream, cottage cheese and ice cream in addition to cheese and butter. The regional dairy cooperative was established in 1957 but it wasn’t until 1992 that President Dariusz Sapiński gave the cooperative name MLEKOVITA and developed the company logo. Since then, the company expanded its product portfolio and opened modern production facilities throughout Poland. Today, Mlekovita has the ability to process 6.5 million litres of milk per day and holds more than 18 percent share in the Polish market.

The Mlekovita group owns 16 manufacturing plants, 30 distribution centers including the first wholesale cash and carry center in Warsaw, plus 24 laboratories and a R&D center.

Mlekovita’s portfolio includes a wide range of dairy products and the five leading categories include pasteurized milk, cheese, flavored milk, butter and fats. Dutch, Swiss and English cheeses are available in blocks, pieces and sliced, smoked, mozzarella, processed and cottages cheeses are sold in different flavors and packaging, as well as natural and sandwich cheeses. Milk with various fat contents, condensed milk, flavored milk and milk powder are also produced in different sizes. Additionally, the company makes kefir, yogurt, buttermilk, cream and butter. Specialty regional products from Zakopane are available throughout the country. Mlekovita is the only one in the country that produces clarified butter and Cheddar cheese and the only company in the Podlasie region that makes ice cream on an industrial scale.

The R&D Center is equipped with the latest laboratory equipment and was co-financed by the European Union from the Regional Development Fund. In addition to developing new products such as lactose-free milk, the company conducts microbiological tests of raw materials and finished products to ensure quality and maintaining health standards. Considering today’s consumers are conscious of nutrition, Mlekovita invests in new technologies and launches new products each year to meet the consumer’s’ expectations and needs. With a focus on investments and expansion, the company is constructing an entire plant complete with buildings, production and storage on a 4.5-acre plot located near the existing plant in Wysokie Mazowieckie. The project is planned to be completed in June 2017.

Each year, Mlekovita receives awards in regional and international competitions and contests. In addition to earning medals at local trade shows, nine Mlekovita products received gold medals at the 2016 Polagra International Trade Fair for Food. Most recently, the group was recognized as a Worldwide Company 2015 by the European Business Institute as the only company in the dairy industry among the 50 most dynamic companies in the world. Mlekovita has taken first place in a ranking by “Rzeczpospolita” for the most valuable brand in the manufacturing sector of the Polish economy, was named the largest and best dairy producer in Poland, according to rankings KZSM, was the winner of the ranking of Dairy Cooperatives 2016 as well as Expansion Leaders rankings by PIM, and was ranked the largest dairy producer in Central and Eastern Europe by Europe 500.