Fifty out of 68 members of the Prolek dairy cooperative have agreed to supply their milk to Luxlait, following an agreement announced earlier this month between the cooperative and the Luxembourg-based dairy processor.
According to Prolek President Vic Wirtz, the remaining 18 farms are taking various directions: two will deliver to a dairy they previously supplied alongside EKABE, around half a dozen plan to leave dairy production altogether, and the rest have not yet finalised their future plans.
Wirtz noted that ten of these farmers did not wish to join another cooperative dairy such as Luxlait.
Wirtz emphasised that each farmer was free to make an independent choice: "We fully respect the decision of every individual farm; everyone was free to decide what they wanted. What really excites us is that we are taking many young farm leaders with us, and that the average production per farm is very high."
It is understood that the ten farmers not joining Luxlait are set to supply the Dutch group Royal A-ware. Whether those who have not signed with Luxlait will remain members of Prolek has yet to be decided.
No substantial changes are expected before 1 April next year, since the existing supply contracts with EKABE remain in force until 1 April 2027. The French group Lactalis, which owns EKABE, announced at the end of May that it would terminate its cooperation with Luxembourg dairy farmers.
Luxlait Director Gilles Gerard is satisfied with the new agreements, but underlined that the longer-term future of Luxembourg’s dairy sector also depends on consumer behaviour.
"Whenever you choose a Luxembourg-made product – especially one produced with Luxembourgish milk – you are directly supporting producers, jobs, the economy, and the country’s food sovereignty. That is something I consider really important. This solidarity must also be reflected in the daily choices we make as consumers in the shops", Gerard said.
Contracts and delivery volumes still need to be validated, and milk collection logistics clarified, given the substantial quantities involved.
If everything proceeds as planned, the rescue of these 50 farms could be officially confirmed as early as next week.
