FrieslandCampina has opened a new production line in a plant in Romania the Dutch dairy giant said would triple the facility’s output.
The co-op said the addition of the white cheese line would “support and develop” its local brand Napolact, its flagship brand in Romania.
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Without disclosing figures, FrieslandCampina said it had seen Napolact sales rise in volume terms in the last 12 months, helped by consumer demand “towards products with simple recipes, close to the traditional production method”.
Overall, FrieslandCampina managed to grow its profits in 2016, a year the Dutch dairy giant described as “turbulent” and one in which the company saw its sales fall.
The co-op booked a 5.5% rise in net profit to EUR362m (US$427.4m). FrieslandCampina felt the impact of exchange-rate movements on its results. Its underlying net profit was up 8.7% at EUR373m. The Dutch Lady owner’s operating profit fell 2.3% to EUR563m but its underlying operating profit increased 3% to EUR593m.
The company’s revenue fell 1.9% to EUR11bn, with FrieslandCampina pointing to the impact of currency fluctuations, particularly on its business in Africa. Stripping out the impact of exchange rates, revenue was flat at EUR11.21bn.
