One of the strongest dairy cooperatives in Europe - Mlekpol
June 16. Director Sigitas Dimaitis, Head of the Project Management Division Ina Kalėdienė and Director of the Lithuanian Cattle Breeders Association (LGVA) Dr Edvardas Gedgaudas visited Poland on 16 June. The aim of the visit was to learn about the best practices in the Polish dairy sector and to discuss opportunities for bilateral cooperation with one of the largest dairy cooperatives in Europe, „Mlekpol“.
Advanced production and international recognition
„Mlekpol“ – is a modern, sustainably managed cooperative whose success is based on advanced production processes, high technology and strict quality standards. The raw material for production – the highest quality milk – is supplied to more than 8,000 of the cooperative's member farmers from all over Poland.
Each year, the cooperative buys more than 2 billion litres of milk and its products are produced in as many as 14 specialised processing units. The well-known brands Łaciate, Milko, Mazurski Smak, Rolmlecz &ndash have an important place in the daily life of Polish consumers. Almost 30% of production is exported to more than 100 countries around the world, including markets in the Middle and Far East.
Innovation and science – an integral part of development
As Andrzej Steckiewicz, President of the Polish Federation of Cattle Breeders and Milk Producers, pointed out, „Mlekpol“ goes beyond production – the Dairy Industry Innovation Institute in Mrągowo, established in 2010, has become the first food industry science centre of its kind in Poland. Today, the institute, which has the status of a research and development centre, operates one of the most modern research laboratories in Europe.
The Institute's activities include: research on feeds, raw materials, products, additives and materials; development and improvement of technologies; scientific and experimental development work.
Lithuania–Poland cooperation continues
LFA Director Sigitas Dimaitis welcomed the fact that the cooperation agreement signed in September 2024 between the Lithuanian Chamber of Agriculture, the Lithuanian Cattle Breeders' Association and the Polish Milk Producers' Federation, which was signed in September 2024, is now being put into practice in real action.
Updates on the dairy sector
LGVA Director Dr Edvardas Gedgaudas shared an update on trends and innovations in the Lithuanian dairy sector. He highlighted that: milk composition, especially fat content and quality, is becoming an increasingly important factor in the assessment of processors and consumers; the protein profile of milk is receiving much attention, which affects technological processing and product quality (especially in cheese production); farmers need to be encouraged to invest in optimising animal feeding to increase the nutritional value of milk in natural ways; the emphasis is increasingly on antibiotic-free milk and respect for the principles of environmental sensitivity – for both consumer expectations and market access.
Dr. E. Gedgaudas also presented the efforts of Lithuanian farmers to implement real-time on-farm milk quality assessment using innovative measurement tools and data sharing systems between farmers and processors. "High quality milk is not only a production success, but also a guarantee of confidence for both the consumer and the market. It is quality, not just quantity, that determines the competitiveness and long-term value of the sector," noted Dr. E. Gedgaudas.
This visit – is another step in strengthening the Lithuanian-Polish agricultural partnership, based on common aspirations – innovation and a responsible approach to the future of agriculture.
