Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) has entered into a production agreement with Valley Queen to meet the growing demand for protein-enriched dairy products in the U.S.

Valley Queen, based in South Dakota, will produce ingredients from Arla Foods Ingredients’ Nutrilac® ProteinBoost product line, according to a press release from Arla.

Valley Queen is a privately owned cheese dairy with 440 employees. Production of Nutrilac® ProteinBoost is expected to begin at the company’s facility in Milbank in the winter of 2025/2026, following the installation of new specialized equipment.

The patented microparticulated whey protein concentrate is used to increase the protein content of food and beverage products while maintaining texture and taste.

• The demand for protein-enriched dairy products continues to grow in the U.S. To meet this demand and achieve our ambitious growth plans in North America, we needed to significantly expand our production capacity for Nutrilac® ProteinBoost. At the same time, it was important for us to choose a partner with the right values, history, and expertise. We are excited to collaborate with Valley Queen, a company with a long-standing history that shares our commitment to producing the highest quality dairy and whey products, said Luis Cubel, Executive Vice President and CEO of Arla Foods Ingredients.

Read the full press release HERE.

Photo: Arla Foods