Newsletter as PDF
Contact
EMB - European Milk Board asbl
Rue de la Loi 155
B-1040 Bruxelles
Tel.: +32 - 2808 - 1935
Fax: +32 - 2808 - 8265
Dear dairy farmers, dear interested parties,
The innovative economic model of Fair Milk is making waves. We presented the concept again during many interactions at the Paris International Agricultural Show (SIA). FaireFrance, the French Fair Milk brand that has been on the market for almost 13 years, is regarded with much interest. National media is also taking notice with more frequent features, especially on the eight o’ clock news on TF1 and France 2.
As difficult trade negotiations come to close in France, the Fair Milk model remains one worth emulating. It is quite simple: everyone receives the same farm-gate price, and the guaranteed producer remuneration reassures distributors and consumers who, in turn, also enjoy a fair price that is not necessarily much higher when compared with other products of similar quality.
In addition to being innovative in terms of price formation and the position of dairy farmers viz a viz other stakeholders in the value chain, the Fair Milk model also offers farmers, especially young farmers, long-term prospects with guaranteed remuneration. That is what motivated me to join and today, FaireFrance is a shining example because it clearly works. In 2024, we sold almost 18 million units of our products, which allowed us to pay 58 cents per litre to the participating producers.
The advantages of the Fair Milk model
FaireFrance, like the similar initiatives in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg and Belgium, adopts an innovative approach that places producers at the heart of the value chain. Thanks to this model, they are no longer mere suppliers of raw materials, they are real producers and traders. In this way, they interact directly with all links in the value chain: processors to make their products, large and mid-sized retailers for distribution, and, most importantly, consumers, who are at the end of the value chain and play a key role in the development of our model.
The FaireFrance experience of being at the centre of negotiations with each party allows us to talk about the challenges that producers must deal with and to create awareness among all stakeholders in the sector. It especially highlights the importance of fair remuneration for producers and fair distribution of profit margins among all players with the aim of fair and affordable prices for consumers. It is a win-win model that is beneficial to all.
Adrien Lefèvre, Board member of FaireFrance
Germany: Die faire Milch at the vanguard
-
- © LANUV NRW
The German Fair Milk brand, Die Faire Milch, is considered a pioneer in milk production and the German dairy sector as it places regional milk products and sustainability at the heart of their model. The latest edition of their newsletter provides fascinating insights into the Berlin International Green Week as well as the awards ceremony recognising “regional stars”. Here are some of the highlights.
Read more...Faireswiss: a solution that addresses low dairy farmer income
-
- © Lewis Gashaza
The Faireswiss cooperative markets Fair Milk in Switzerland that makes it possible to pay 1 Swiss franc per litre to its dairy farmers.
Read more...Di fair Milch Säuliamt: regionality remains in focus
-
- © Di fair Milch Säuliamt
At Di fair Milch Säuliamt, we are grappling with whether a regional certification like “Suisse Garantie” could help us grow, while taking stock of the many hoops to jump through in order to obtain it. At the same time, we are working on a new product that is sure to delight our customers and consumers.
In our article “Regional focus but not without its obstacles” published last year in this newsletter, we wondered whether we should apply for the “regio.garantie” label to certify the regional origin of our products across Switzerland. We hoped that this would finally give us access to the shelves in Migros and Coop, which jointly control more than 70% of the Swiss market. But the costs and administrative burden involved are not justified at the moment. Certification will only become interesting for us if we want to expand beyond our region.
Despite the challenges, we continue to stand by our commitment to fair prices for farmers and high-quality, regional products. We are very well-known in Säuliamt (Affoltern district), and our loyal customer base loves our fair prices and regional quality. Di fair Milch Säuliamt remains a beacon of sustainable agriculture. While we have currently put the idea of certification on ice, we are focusing on other exciting developments that will further strengthen our market position.
Something delicious is on the horizon – but let’s not celebrate just yet!
Speaking of ice: while plans for certification are churning, we are also secretly working on something new. A mysterious, delicious product will soon be on the market and it is sure to delight our customers and consumers. But let’s stay prudent, because we don’t want to jinx it – we are a bit superstitious after all.
The first tastings were a real success – a sweet teaser of what’s to come. Our plans are taking shape in a small manufacturing facility in our region. The packaging is ready and will soon be on its way to us, but we are still figuring out the best solutions for storage and distribution. Even if we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, we are clearly quite excited about what’s in the pipeline! It is one more example of our innovative spirit and our commitment to bring high-quality regional products to our customers.
Stay tuned – we’ll keep you posted with the latest scoop!
Werner Locher, President of Di Fair Milch Säuliamt
EMB at SIA: From Paris with love
-
- © EMB
While the halls of the French agricultural show SIA were filled with thousands of discussions, the committed colleagues from FaireFrance served Fair Milk to numerous visitors and welcomed EMB representatives to their stand.
Read more...Legal notice
European Milk Board asbl
Rue de la Loi 155
B-1040 Bruxelles
Tel: +32 2808 1935
Fax: +32 2808 8265
E-Mail: office@europeanmilkboard.org
Website: http://www.europeanmilkboard.org