Arla has reported a strong performance for the first six months of 2026, both in Sweden and globally, with growing demand for protein-rich products and signs of a revival in Swedish milk consumption.
Arla presented its half-year results on Thursday, 27. August, including figures for its Swedish business.
Arla Sweden generated revenue of €883 million in the first half of 2026, compared with €902 million in the corresponding period in 2025. The decline in revenue was primarily attributed to lower market prices.
Despite this, volume-driven growth across Arla’s branded products reached 6.4 per cent, compared with a decline of 4.9 per cent in the same period last year.
The improvement was driven in part by continued strong demand for protein-rich dairy products. Arla Protein, launched just over two years ago, recorded growth of 82 per cent, while quark grew by 33 per cent and KESO® cottage cheese by 6 per cent.
At the same time, milk is showing signs of making a comeback in Sweden, with the category returning to growth for the first time since the pandemic years. Demand for traditional Swedish dairy favourites, including butter, also developed strongly during the period and contributed to the positive volume performance.
“There is growing interest in the nutritional content of food and in how our diets can contribute to health and wellbeing. Protein-rich products continue to grow strongly, but we are also seeing something we have not seen for many years: milk is making a comeback,” Cecilia Kocken vd for Arla Sverige said in a company statement.
In an interview with ATL, she described Arla’s increased milk sales as a “historic event”, pointing in particular to younger consumers rediscovering dairy products.
“The fact that more people are choosing Swedish milk and Swedish dairy products is positive both for Swedish farmers and for Swedish food production,” she said.
“At the same time, we are investing for the future in areas including cheese, quark and cottage cheese, strengthening Swedish food production and contributing to greater food security,” Kocken said.
Arla’s international performance is covered separately by Dairy Nordic.