Product Offerings
Products:
Milk: Lait entier, Lait demi-écrémé, Lait écrémé
Cream: Crème fraîche, Crème UHT
Butter: Beurre doux, Beurre demi-sel
Cheese: Fromage frais, Fromage affiné
Yogurt: Yaourt nature, Yaourt aromatisé
Les Maîtres Laitiers du Cotentin (MLC) is a major French dairy cooperative based in Sottevast, Normandy. Founded in 1949, the company represents over 800 dairy farmers across the Normandy region and has grown into a leading player in the European dairy sector. With a vertically integrated model, MLC handles everything from milk collection and processing to packaging and global distribution, delivering high-quality dairy products under some of France’s most trusted brands.
Core Business and Product Portfolio
MLC produces a wide range of dairy goods for retail, food service, and industrial applications. Its product lines include:
Milk
- Lait entier (Whole Milk)
- Lait demi-écrémé (Semi-skimmed Milk)
- Lait écrémé (Skimmed Milk)
Cream
- Crème fraîche
- Crème UHT
Butter
- Beurre doux (Unsalted Butter)
- Beurre demi-sel (Salted Butter)
Cheese
- Fromage frais
- Fromage affiné (Matured Cheese)
Yogurt
- Yaourt nature
- Yaourt aromatisé (Flavored Yogurt)
These products are distributed under both MLC's proprietary brands and private labels for retail chains across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Specialisation and Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
MLC’s core strength lies in its cooperative model, ensuring full traceability, farmer equity, and sustainable practices. The company operates modern production sites certified to international food safety standards, and its strategic location in Normandy—one of the richest milk-producing regions in France—provides a steady supply of high-quality raw milk. This direct connection to the producer sets MLC apart in terms of transparency and product freshness.
Target Markets
MLC serves a diversified customer base across multiple continents:
- Europe: France, Germany, UK, Italy
- Asia: China, South Korea, Japan
- Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia
- North America: USA (for specialty cheeses and cream)
In addition to large-scale B2B operations, MLC also serves end consumers through supermarket chains, gourmet food shops, and online retailers.
Financial Overview
MLC is among the top dairy cooperatives in France. According to industry publications and cooperative reports:
- Annual revenue (2022): Over €700 million
- Processing capacity: More than 400 million liters of milk per year
- Employees: Over 1,300
Its sustained financial growth is attributed to increased exports, premium product positioning, and strong domestic demand.
Shipment and Export Data
Data from trade platforms and internal reports indicate that MLC exports make up a significant portion of its business:
- Export volume: Over 30% of total production
- Key export categories: UHT milk, cream, cheese, and butter
- Export destinations: Over 70 countries, including high-regulation markets like China and Japan
Their advanced logistics network allows for efficient cold chain management and timely international deliveries.
Certifications and Compliance
MLC maintains a comprehensive set of certifications to ensure product safety, traceability, and compliance with international regulations:
- IFS Food (International Featured Standard)
- ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management Systems)
- AB (Agriculture Biologique) certification for organic products
- Halal and Kosher certifications for select products
- EU Export Approval for dairy products
These certifications position MLC as a trusted global supplier for premium dairy products.
Operational Capabilities
MLC operates several state-of-the-art dairy facilities across Normandy equipped with:
- High-capacity pasteurization and UHT lines
- Butter and cream production units
- Cheese ripening and packaging units
- Fully automated yogurt lines
- In-house quality labs for microbiological testing
The company also maintains R&D units to develop new recipes and packaging innovations, aligning with evolving market demands.
Customer and Market Reputation
MLC has consistently received praise from trade partners, retailers, and institutional buyers for:
- Product consistency and quality
- Responsive customer service
- Strong collaborative business practices
- Ethical and sustainable sourcing
Their brands like Cœur de Normandy and Campagne de France are recognized in France and abroad for their authenticity and taste, contributing to high levels of consumer trust.
Achievements and Milestones
- Over 70 years of cooperative excellence
- Recognized as a major dairy exporter in France
- Pioneer in sustainable dairy farming within Normandy
- Strategic partnership with international distributors in Asia and the Middle East
- Expansion into the organic dairy segment and premium cheese categories
Les Maîtres Laitiers du Cotentin continues to set benchmarks in ethical sourcing, sustainable production, and international dairy trade—making it one of France’s most respected and progressive dairy cooperatives.