Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is a leading national dairy cooperative in the United States, owned by more than 11,500 family farmers across 48 states. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, DFA operates as a vertically integrated dairy business, processing, marketing, and distributing milk and dairy-based products under numerous trusted consumer and foodservice brands. With annual revenues exceeding $24 billion, DFA is one of the largest dairy companies in the world and a vital link between American dairy farms and global dairy markets.
Company Background
Founded in 1998 through the merger of four major regional cooperatives, Dairy Farmers of America was created to give farmers greater control over the dairy supply chain and more power in national and international markets. Over the past two decades, DFA has expanded both organically and through major acquisitions, including the 2020 purchase of substantial assets from Dean Foods, further solidifying its position as the largest dairy cooperative in the U.S.
As a farmer-owned cooperative, DFA’s mission extends beyond profit to include sustainability, rural community support, and long-term economic security for its member-owners.
Core Business
DFA operates through four main business areas:
- Marketing and Collecting Milk: Ensuring raw milk produced by its members is marketed efficiently and profitably.
- Dairy Foods Division: Manufacturing a wide range of dairy products including fluid milk, cheese, butter, cream, and cultured products.
- Global Dairy Ingredients: Supplying milk powders, whey, and dairy proteins to food and nutrition manufacturers worldwide.
- Commercial Investments: Strategic partnerships and joint ventures in dairy processing and product innovation.
Product & Service Offerings
1. Consumer Dairy Products:
- Fluid Milk: Whole, 2%, 1%, and skim milk under various regional brands
- Butter: Retail and foodservice butter including salted, unsalted, and whipped varieties
- Cheese: Block, shredded, sliced, and specialty cheese products
- Ice Cream & Frozen Dairy: Premium and value-tier ice cream and frozen yogurt
- Cream & Half-and-Half: Available for retail and institutional use
2. Dairy Ingredients:
- Milk Powder: Nonfat dry milk (NFDM), skim milk powder (SMP), and whole milk powder
- Whey Proteins: WPC, WPI, and permeate for nutritional and industrial applications
- Milk Protein Concentrates: Used in bakery, sports nutrition, and infant formula
- Custom Formulated Blends: Tailored solutions for global B2B partners
3. Specialty & Value-Added Products:
- Lactose-free milk
- High-protein dairy beverages
- Ready-to-drink shakes (e.g., Sport Shake)
- Plant-dairy hybrid beverages (via Live Real Farms)
Specialization and Core USP
DFA's key strengths include:
- Farmer Ownership: Ensures traceability, transparency, and reinvestment in rural communities
- Vertical Integration: Control from farm to shelf guarantees quality, food safety, and supply chain efficiency
- Brand Portfolio: Managing over 20 regional and national dairy brands with strong consumer recognition
- Sustainability Initiatives: Net-zero by 2050 goals, methane reduction, water stewardship, and regenerative agriculture practices
Financials and Market Presence
- Revenue: $24.5 billion (2022)
- Employees: Over 19,000
- Facilities: 80+ manufacturing plants across the U.S.
- Milk Volume: Handles approximately 30% of all U.S. milk production
- Exports: Active in 50+ countries including China, Mexico, Philippines, and Southeast Asia
DFA is consistently ranked among the top 10 global dairy companies and the largest U.S.-based dairy cooperative by revenue and milk volume.
Shipment Data
- Export Volume: Over 500,000 metric tons of milk powder and dairy ingredients annually
- Top Export Products: Skim milk powder, whey protein concentrate, and lactose
- Logistics: Utilizes an integrated network of rail, truck, and port facilities for global distribution
DFA is a USDA-certified exporter and a regular participant in USDA Dairy Export Incentive Programs (DEIP).
Target Market
DFA serves multiple segments:
- Retail Consumers: Via nationally distributed dairy brands
- Foodservice Operators: Restaurants, cafes, and institutional kitchens
- Industrial Manufacturers: Bakery, confectionery, nutrition, and processed food brands
- International Importers: Buying dairy ingredients and finished products
Its brands cater to premium, mainstream, and value-based market tiers, ensuring broad demographic and geographic coverage.
Capabilities
- Manufacturing Excellence: State-of-the-art processing for milk, cheese, powder, and specialty ingredients
- Innovation Centers: Focus on product development, dairy nutrition, and clean-label solutions
- Sustainability Infrastructure: Carbon footprint monitoring, on-farm anaerobic digesters, and sustainable packaging
- Farmer Services: Financial planning, herd health, milk testing, and business consulting
Certifications & Compliance
- SQF, BRC, and GFSI certifications across major plants
- Kosher and Halal Certified for relevant product lines
- USDA and FDA Compliant
- Sustainability Reporting under GRI Framework
- Certified under US Dairy Stewardship Commitment
These certifications reinforce DFA’s global competitiveness and supply chain reliability.
Major Achievements
- Acquisition of Dean Foods assets (2020): Secured over 40 production facilities, expanding DFA’s processing capacity and brand reach
- Top Exporter Status: Among the top three U.S. exporters of milk powder and whey proteins
- Sustainability Awards: Recognized by Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy for leadership in environmental stewardship
- Farm Program Expansion: Over 90% of member farms enrolled in DFA’s Gold Standard sustainability program
- Live Real Farms Launch: First-of-its-kind dairy-plant blend product line addressing evolving consumer preferences
Dairy Farmers of America continues to lead the evolution of the U.S. dairy industry by empowering its farmers, delivering safe and nutritious products, and expanding global access to American dairy through sustainable and innovative business practices.
