During the representatives’ meeting of Hochwald Milch eG on 30 June 2026, the Hochwald Group presented its members with a positive overall result for the 2025 financial year. Despite a market environment shaped by significant changes, the Group successfully increased both its turnover and its milk processing volume. The farmgate milk price paid to suppliers averaged 52.4 cents per kilogram, putting Hochwald ahead of the national average.

The 2025 financial year – success for Hochwald despite a challenging market environment

The 2025 financial year was shaped by contrasting trends in the German dairy industry. High farmgate milk prices at the start of the year gave way to falling prices towards year-end. While milk deliveries declined in the first few months of the year, they reached record levels in the second half. Following a 1.8% year-on-year drop in delivery volumes over the first seven months, milk intake rose steadily from August onwards. This increase was especially pronounced in December, when deliveries were 7.7% above the previous year’s level. Despite the considerably greater availability of raw milk, sales of dairy products were maintained at a high level, supported by lower consumer prices and increased stocks of long-life products such as milk powder. Against this backdrop, the Hochwald Group closed the 2025 financial year with a record turnover of €2,034.1 million, up from €2,010.9 million in the previous year. EBITDA rose to €191.1 million. Of the total turnover, 58% was generated on the domestic market, with the remaining 42% derived from the export business. International business performed especially strongly, with China in particular emerging as a key growth driver. The cooperative’s milk suppliers also benefited from these positive developments. Including the supplementary payment, members of Hochwald Milch eG received an average farmgate milk price of 52.4 cents per kilogram (previous year: 48.1 ct/kg). This put Hochwald ahead of the national average of 52.2 ct/kg as reported by the German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE), thereby achieving the cooperative’s stated objective of securing a milk price above the national average for its members.

Outlook for 2026: High milk volumes continue to shape the market 

Milk supply remained at elevated levels throughout the first quarter of 2026, with delivery volumes running approximately 6% above the same period in the previous year. The combination of high milk volumes and rising constituent levels has led to very high capacity utilisation across processing sites throughout the industry.  This is having an impact on producer prices. According to BLE data, the average milk price fell to around 38 cents per kilogram of milk between January and March 2026. Consumers have responded to the lower prices with increased demand across virtually all product categories. The improved competitiveness of German dairy products in the export business too continues to support buoyant demand in international markets. At the same time, however, the industry is facing rising cost pressures. Higher energy and fuel prices in particular resulting from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have added to the cost burden since the start of the year.

‘Prepared for Tomorrow’ strategy systematically implemented 

In 2026, Hochwald is delivering the final elements of its ‘Prepared for Tomorrow’ corporate strategy, which was launched in 2023. The strategy aims to position the company for long-term competitiveness, drive further efficiency gains and sharpen the focus on strategically relevant business areas. The key measures include completing the butter plant project at the Hünfeld site, concluding the comprehensive modernisation programme in Thalfang and continuously optimising sales and administrative structures. ‘By clearly focusing on our core competencies, driving continuous improvement and consistently optimising our costs, we are making our company more resilient in the face of external crises and volatile markets’, commented Detlef Latka (Managing Director of Hochwald Foods GmbH). The Hochwald Group is therefore in a good position to continue operating successfully in a challenging market environment and to create sustainable value for its members, customers and business partners alike.

Key figures

Contact:
Hochwald Foods GmbH
Kathrin Lorenz
Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 6504 125 129
E-Mail: k.lorenz@hochwald.de