What characterized our 2024 financial year? What role does sustainability play at DMK? And how do we continue to develop our company in a value-adding and future-oriented way? Answers to these questions can be found on this page: compact and focused, open and honest. Further information can be found in the linked articles and videos in the sub-chapters. Our chatbot is also available for individual questions. Simply click on the chat and find out more.
Passion, innovation and responsibility. Stronger together – for a sustainable future.
Despite a drop in revenue – primarily due to strong fluctuations in the dairy market and new challenges – we managed to increase our profit. We improved our net result from €13.2 million to €24.6 million. Our equity ratio also rose from 34.7% to 35.4%. Both our net result and equity ratio exceeded our target figures – ensuring stability as we move forward.
„Our 2024 year-end results give us strong momentum to continue driving our transformation forward and to fully unlock our potential as a strong cooperative. With passion and team spirit. By embracing new ideas and refining what has proven to be effective.”
as Germany's largest dairy cooperative, we are tackling today's challenges in the dairy sector constructively and working on future-focused solutions – whether in response to demands from the retail sector, policymakers or society at large, or to geopolitical shifts, structural changes or climate change. In doing so, we commit to transparency and open, fact-based dialogue with all stakeholders. That's because transforming an entire industry is a monumental task – one that requires time and collective effort. We firmly believe that only through conversation can we truly connect, explore diverse perspectives and shape meaningful change together – to ensure a sustainable future for the dairy sector.
We integrate sustainability across all areas – from farms and production sites to reducing food waste.
We've developed a climate roadmap and are working along the entire dairy value chain to achieve our reduction targets: from milk production and collection, to processing, transport, further processing and distribution. As a member of the Science Based Targets initiative, our climate goals have been scientifically validated. By 2030 – based on 2022 figures – we aim to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42%. For Scope 3, our target is a 25% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030 compared to the base year. Our reduction target includes all greenhouse gas emissions – including methane, which is predominantly generated in agriculture.
Because the greatest potential for reducing greenhouse gases lies on farms, we launched our pilot project "Net Zero Farming" in 2022. Supported by a panel of renowned experts, the project is gathering knowledge and insights on how, at what cost, and on what timeline reductions in CO₂, methane, and nitrous oxide can be achieved. Initial results show that targeted measures can cut emissions by over 10%. In the future, we want to set detailed targets for the various types of emissions and expand "Net Zero Farming" to other farms.
In addition, we're turning many other dials to meet our climate goals: our milk collection fleet has been converted to climate-friendly bio-LNG, which means we're able to save around 99% of CO₂ emissions. We are continuously reducing packaging waste and food loss, and implementing energy and water efficiency projects across our production sites. One thing is clear, though: continued efforts will be necessary to significantly reduce our carbon footprint over the long term.
In addition to climate protection, a key focus is improving animal welfare in dairy farming. Transitioning a large share of our product portfolio to Tier 3 animal welfare standards marks a decisive step. This move positions DMK as one of the largest providers of Tier 3 milk in Germany. We reward farmers for their commitment with a premium of 3 euro cents per kilogram of raw milk. Tier 3, which is classified by the addition of providing outdoor access, requires cows to have fresh air and significantly more space than legally required, prohibits tethering, and mandates the use of non-GMO feed. According to Germany's consumer protection agency, Tier 3 offers significantly improved living conditions for dairy cows.
Our focus on Tier 3 demonstrates how animal welfare and economic sustainability go hand in hand at DMK – and how we're securing our future viability. This is because various trading partners and an increasing number of consumers are now specifically demanding Tier 3 animal welfare standards.
![[Translate to English:]](https://dmk.de/fileadmin/_processed_/2/a/csm_So-handeln-wir-Stageimage_07bda3ae8a.jpg "[Translate to English:]")
![[Translate to English:]](https://dmk.de/fileadmin/_processed_/6/5/csm_IMG_2922_d2a810d69d.jpg "[Translate to English:]")
We create balanced, enjoyable foods with sustainable added value – for our customers, employees, and shareholders.
For example, cottage cheese is experiencing a comeback: the protein-rich dairy product has become the new superfood among young consumers. And because we are close to the consumer, we responded by ramping up production at our Hohenwestedt facility: today, we produce 30% more MILRAM cottage cheese there than in 2023. This has been a key factor in further strengthening our market position in the "Fresh/White Dairy" category. By expanding our MILRAM range with new creations, such as wild herb quark, we are implementing our strategy to strengthen products with higher added value. We have also further expanded our branded ice cream business with collaborative partners and licensors and created new taste experiences for our customers.
The buyer reach for cow's milk still exceeds 90 percent, but products made from plant-based alternatives are increasingly in demand – especially among the younger generation and in the hospitality sector – and have thus become a fixed part of our portfolio.
![[Translate to English:]](https://dmk.de/fileadmin/_processed_/4/6/csm_8jy1ninb_6771ca0d3a.png "[Translate to English:]")
A strong team. Doing good. Driven by passion – DMK.
At #TeamDMK, we foster a culture of togetherness and mutual respect, with an emphasis on participation – a commitment reflected in our 2024 DMK Strengths Compass. In this internal survey, our employees shared that they're passionate about working at DMK and proud to help provide favourite products to millions of people in Germany and beyond.
The diverse perspectives of our employees are vital to understanding and delivering on consumers' complex taste preferences every day. We firmly believe that diversity is our strength, and that exchanging different perspectives and cultures enriches our work.
We've created ample space for exactly this kind of exchange and positive collaboration with our new headquarters located opposite Bremen Airport. Here, as well as in our production sites, we implement the "New Work" concept with open-plan office spaces. Networked, agile and collaborative – this is how we're leading DMK into the future.
People of over 50 nationalities work at DMK.
Through comprehensive training programmes, we support our employees in their professional and personal growth, helping them reach their full potential. From e-learning to mentoring and our group-wide leadership development programme, PASSION – lifelong learning is a cornerstone of our culture and opens up opportunities for our cooperative and everyone who is a part of it.
