Prolek president Vic Wirtz described the announcement as a major disappointment but stressed that the cooperative is focused on securing solutions for all members. The cooperative represents 68 family-run dairy farms producing around 50 million litres of milk annually, accounting for an estimated 10% to 15% of Luxembourg’s total milk output.
The cooperative has already opened discussions with key dairy processors including Luxlait, Muh-Arla and Hochwald. Industry stakeholders and government representatives have moved quickly to organize crisis meetings, reflecting the significance of the issue for Luxembourg’s dairy supply chain and rural economy.
Lactalis said the decision was driven by difficult conditions in international dairy ingredient markets, citing shrinking margins and the relatively high cost of milk procurement in Luxembourg. The company stated that it intends to continue operating the EKABE facility while sourcing milk from outside the country and pledged to support affected producers during the transition period.