The merger between Arla Foods and DMK Group will go ahead after all necessary regulatory approvals from the EU were received.
The deal brings together 11,200 dairy farmers across seven countries and 28,800 colleagues globally.
It is expected to take effect on 1 June, until then the companies will operate as two separate entities.
They said it marked a significant milestone in investing in the scale of and resilience of European food production, safeguarding food security and nourishing a growing global population.
It brings together a combined milk pool of 19.4 billion kilos annually and a pro forma revenue of over €20bn, under the Arla name.
“This is a landmark day for our co-operatives, for the next generation of dairy farmers and for European food production,” said Jan Toft Nørgaard, chair of Arla Foods. “We can move forward together to secure the necessary scale, long-term economic resilience and investment capability required to contribute to shaping a food sector with a reduced impact on climate and nature.
“Our co-operatives have united farmers for generations and collaboration across borders has never been more important to help feed life across the planet.”
The merger builds on years of partnership between the two businesses, which have “shared values and complementary strengths”.
Arla said the combined company would be an “even stronger partner” for customers across retail, foodservice and ingredients, offering a broader range of high-quality products, enhanced innovation and expanded collaboration on both industry and private-label solutions.
DMK Group chair Heinz Korte said: “We, the farmers, are looking forward to joining forces.”
He added that the businesses had received strong support from farmers in the June 2025 votes, which “reflects our commitment to stand together across borders, driven by our shared values and a clear vision for the future of dairy”.
The transition period is expected to take two-years which will involve Arla farmers being onboarded to Arla’s programmes, alongside other business changes.
The merged entity will carry the Arla name, with headquarters in Viby J, Denmark. Toft Nørgaard will serve as chair, Inger-Lise Sjöström as vice chair and Peder Tuborgh as CEO.
DMK Group CEO Ingo Müller will join Arla’s executive management team as executive vice president (EVP) of post-merger integration.
“Together, we will become one of the continent’s best dairy producers for the future,” said Tuborgh. “We aim to be among the most trusted partners in safeguarding European food production and in supporting farming practices that reduce our impact on climate and nature.”
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