Global dairy cooperative Arla Foods has pledged to invest in four of its production sites, bringing its total UK investments in 2024 to over £300 million.

In addition to previously announced plans for its Taw Valley site, Arla Foods will update and expand its dairies and creameries at Lockerbie, Stourton, Aylesbury and Westbury as it looks to “create more opportunities” for British dairy production.

The cooperative currently operates nine production sites across the country making a range of milk, butter, cheese and other dairy staples. Arla said the investments will see “significant upgrades” that “secure the future of its sites” and ensure continued production.

In Taw Valley, the investment will reportedly allow the business to capitalise on the potential for export around the world.

Bas Padberg, managing director of Arla Foods UK, said: “What this means is that our farmer owners are investing in UK food security – as they are not only producing our milk, but they are backing this investment in our production sites.

“Dairy plays a significant role in the UK economy, with sales of dairy products exceeding £8 billion… we are delighted to set out plans for continued vital investment in our business worth tens of millions of pounds, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of food production and keeping the nation’s favourite dairy products on our supermarket shelves.

“We must also ensure we have a robust food supply chain for the UK market – and this starts with ensuring we can continue to return a fair price back to our farmer owners.”

Fran Ball, vice president for production at Arla Foods, commented: “We are wholly committed to UK manufacturing to ensure we continue to produce the nutritious dairy products that are a staple in millions of fridges across the country. The investments will allow us to make significant upgrades across our portfolio, making our facilities fit for the future of dairy production here in the UK.”