The two extend their successful partnership with a long-term 21-year agreement that allows Arla Foods to continue to manufacture and distribute Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee beverages.
Duncan Moir, Vice President of Channel Development and Foodservice, Starbucks EMEA, says: “The strength of our relationship with Arla Foods over the past seven years has seen our RTD business grow by an average of 40 percent a year across 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.”
Commenting on the agreement, Hanne Søndergaard, Executive Vice President and CMO at Arla Foods, says: “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. 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.”
Opportunities within milk-based beverages is an important focus within Arla’s Good Growth 2020 strategy.
“It is our ambition to be a leading provider of milk-based beverages in Northern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Northern Africa in 2020 and the new strategic licensing agreement makes the Starbucks partnership a vital part of delivering on this target and we believe that innovation is the key to future success. Our recent launches of new Starbucks Double Shot products are great examples of our joint commitment to innovation and to consumers,” Hanne Søndergaard says.
In 2010, Starbucks chose Arla Foods as its license partner to manufacture, distribute and market its milk-based ready-to-drink coffee beverages for supermarkets and convenience stores across the EMEA region. Arla expects to further extend its reach to meet consumer needs. Ever since Starbucks chose Arla Foods as its licensed partner in 2010 the business has grown by an average of 40 percent every year.
In 2018, Arla 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 percent arabica, ethically sourced coffee from Starbucks Coffee Company.