Arla Foods, Starbucks sign 21-year RTD coffee partnership
After seven years of a successful business partnership, Starbucks has signed a new strategic licensing agreement with the farmer-owned dairy cooperative Arla Foods.
After seven years of a successful business partnership, Starbucks has signed a new strategic licensing agreement with the farmer-owned dairy cooperative Arla Foods. The two companies have signed a long-term 21-year strategic agreement, giving Arla Foods license to continue to manufacture, distribute, and market Starbucks premium milk-based ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee beverages for the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa).
“The strength of our relationship with Arla Foods over the past seven years has seen our RTD business grow by an average of 40% per year across EMEA,” said Duncan Moir, vice president of Channel Development and Foodservice, Starbucks EMEA. “This new licensing agreement signals our commitment to continue to work together to grow the business within the ready-to-drink sector, and we are proud to be working alongside Arla Foods.”
“We are proud to take another step in our partnership with Starbucks, bringing great tasting Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee beverages to consumers across Europe and the Middle East while adding value to our farmers’ milk,” said Hanne Søndergaard, executive vice president and CMO at Arla Foods. “The partnership combines Arla’s extensive experience in manufacturing dairy beverages and our widespread distribution network with Starbucks unique coffee expertise. Consumers in the EMEA region have welcomed the great taste and premium nature of the beverages, and we remain committed to working closely with Starbucks on developing and growing the category in the future.”
In 2010, Starbucks chose Arla Foods as its license partner to manufacture, distribute, and market its milk-based RTD coffee beverages for supermarkets and convenience stores across the EMEA region. Arla expects to continue to further extend its reach to meet consumer needs. Over the past seven years Arla has launched Starbucks beverages in 38 countries across EMEA and expects to sell over 110 million units per year. The products are produced at Arla Foods’ sites in Esbjerg, Denmark, and are made from milk from Arla Foods’ 11,200 farmer-owners and 100% arabica, ethically sourced coffee from Starbucks Coffee Co.