Founded in 1938, Agropur is one of North America's largest dairy cooperatives, headquartered in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada. With over 3,000 member dairy farmers and more than 7,350 employees, the cooperative is a global player in dairy processing and innovation. Agropur is wholly owned by its members and operates under the cooperative model, where profits are reinvested in member services and sustainable business growth. The company plays a pivotal role in Canada's dairy industry while maintaining a significant presence in the United States.
Core Business and Product Offerings
Agropur’s operations span the entire dairy value chain—from collecting raw milk to producing and marketing consumer and industrial dairy products. The company offers an extensive portfolio that includes:
- Milk: Fresh white milk, chocolate milk, lactose-free milk
- Cheese: Cheddar, Mozzarella, Feta, Parmesan, Provolone, Specialty Cheeses
- Butter: Salted, Unsalted
- Creams: Whipping cream, table cream, half & half
- Yogurt: Various styles and flavors
- Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts: Under brands like Scotsburn and Lucerne
- Dairy Ingredients:
- Whey Protein Concentrate & Isolate
- Skim Milk Powder
- Lactose
- Milk Protein Concentrate
Their industrial ingredients division serves global B2B customers in functional food, sports nutrition, and medical nutrition sectors.
Specialization and USP
Agropur distinguishes itself through innovation, scale, and a deep commitment to sustainability. The company has six research and development centers and invests over CAD 40 million annually in R&D. It was among the first dairy processors to implement blockchain technology for traceability.
Key differentiators include:
- High-Capacity Production: 31 plants across North America
- Proprietary Technologies: Including cheese-aging processes and advanced filtration for protein separation
- Sustainability Leadership: Member of the GHG Protocol, committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050
Financials and Scale
As per the latest annual report:
- Annual Revenue (2022): CAD 8.0 billion
- Milk Intake: Over 6.7 billion liters annually
- Market Reach: Products sold in over 50 countries
- Capital Investments: Over CAD 200 million in the last three years for modernizing facilities and capacity expansion
Agropur’s scale and vertically integrated supply chain make it a key partner for global retailers, foodservice operators, and industrial customers.
Shipment and Export Data
According to international trade intelligence platforms:
- Export Volume (2023): Approx. 100,000 metric tons of dairy ingredients
- Top Destinations: United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil
- Top Products: Skim Milk Powder, Whey Protein Isolate, Lactose, Milk Protein Concentrate
Agropur has a robust export division, operating under strict compliance with international food safety standards and managing complex cold chain logistics.
Target Market
Agropur serves a wide spectrum of customers:
- Retail Chains: Through branded and private label offerings
- Foodservice: Supplies restaurants, cafés, and institutional clients
- Industrial Clients: Nutraceutical companies, bakeries, food manufacturers
- Export Partners: Distributors and importers in key global dairy markets
Capabilities
- R&D and Innovation: 6 innovation hubs including one in Wisconsin, USA
- Certifications: GFSI, SQF, FSSC 22000, USDA Organic, Halal, Kosher
- Cold Chain Logistics: Integrated fleet and warehousing for dairy perishables
- Traceability Systems: Blockchain and AI-driven quality assurance
Certifications and Compliance
Agropur’s commitment to compliance and quality is evidenced by:
- FSSC 22000 and SQF Certified processing plants
- Organic Certification under USDA and Canada Organic
- Halal and Kosher Certified products
- Sustainable Dairy Partnership (SDP) participant
- GHG Reporting under GHG Protocol Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
These credentials enable Agropur to supply to regulatory-sensitive markets and global CPG clients.
Customer Testimonials
“Agropur’s ingredient quality and consistent supply reliability have made them a strategic partner for our protein bar line.”
— VP Procurement, U.S. Functional Food Manufacturer
“The Natrel lactose-free milk range is the best-performing dairy SKU in our health segment.”
— Category Manager, National Canadian Retailer
Major Achievements
- Top 20 Global Dairy Processor by Rabobank Dairy Top 20 Report
- Launched Agropur Dairy Cooperative Innovation Challenge to fund startups
- Winner of the Best Cheese in the World (Oka Cheese, World Cheese Awards)
- Partnered with Dairy Farmers of Canada to advance carbon-neutral dairy farming
Agropur remains at the forefront of dairy innovation, supply reliability, and cooperative ethics, cementing its status as a leading global dairy partner.
