Major organic dairy cooperatives from the United States and Europe have announced that they will begin working together, whilst retaining their independence.

Organic Valley/ CROPP, the leading organic farm co-op in North America, and OMSCo (Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative) announced on Wednesday that the two cooperatives will take a membership in each others’ organisations but retain their independence.  

The move is intended to allow both co-ops to share best practice, and provide access to new markets, products and technical expertise.

The two cooperatives, based in La Farge, Wisconsin and Somerset, UK, have a combined output of almost 1 billion litres, making them the two largest organic dairy pools in the world.

Richard Hampton, managing director of OMSCo, said the co-op has already developed a close relationship with CROPP, which has handled marketing and distribution for OMSCo’s Kingdom Cheddar brand – the only European organic cheese available in the US market.

Hampton said, “Our relationship has naturally evolved, and this alliance is the next step. This agreement will allow both cooperatives to market each other’s bulk and branded products and, by working together, OMSCo will be better prepared to satisfy the growing global appetite for organic dairy products.”    

Commenting on the move, Organic Valley’s Vice President Eric Newman said, “This is an important development for cooperation in organic agriculture on a global scale. Both cooperatives recognise that our shared values and similar missions are paramount in this agreement. In meeting the ever-increasing consumer demand for organic dairy products all over the world, our two cooperatives are doing what we know best: we’re cooperating.”