INSIGHT
UPFRONT RESTRUCTURING
Retiring Royal FrieslandCampina (RFC) cooperative chairman Frans Keurentjes – ‘Royal FrieslandCampina is in better shape than five years ago’.
Confidence in European co-operative giant erodes Netherlands-based Royal FrieslandCampina (RFC) paid one of the highest milk prices in Europe for many years. However, the results have been under strong pressure for about three years. Many profitable businesses have been sold and confidence among members only seems to be eroding further. What is going on at RFC? Jelle Feenstra from Langs de Melkweg spoke to retiring chairman Frans Keurentjes, who stepped down on June 16.
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isappointing results in China that seem to never end. Numerous profitable business units sold. A cheese division that is failing to make serious profits. Difficult discussions with members about ever-increasing sustainability requirements. A relatively disappointing milk price for the past three years; these 14
are just a few of the many points on which RFC is not winning. The dairy co-operative is in severe trouble. Frans Keurentjes, who recently stepped down as chairman of the dairy co-operative after five years, sees it differently. “FrieslandCampina is in a stronger position than five years ago,” he says.
Q. RFC has recently been only taking backwards steps. The milk price went down, member obligations and associated interest are gone and one business unit after another was sold off. It looks like a complete dismantling. A. “I understand that the outside world and many members view it that way. But
Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | July 2021
