Arla has opened a Dano milk powder packaging facility in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

As part of its 2020 strategy, Senegal is an important market as it enables the firm to expand further into the West African region.

The new plant has a capacity to handle 5,000t of milk powder sourced from Arla’s farmer-owners in Europe.

"The new plant has a capacity to handle 5,000t of milk powder sourced from Arla’s farmer-owners in Europe."

The new facility is spread across 14,000m². This will be used for re-packing the fat filled milk powder and instant whole milk powder in different sizes, including foil sachets.

Arla Sub Saharan Africa head Steen Hadsbjerg said: "The facility is the latest milestone in Arla’s ambition to actively take part in developing the dairy market in West Africa and providing affordable nutrition of high quality to consumers in the region.

"It will also contribute with jobs as we will initially employ 20 people in the production and more as we grow the sales and thereby also the production volume."

The sachets will be distributed initially to wholesalers and stores in Senegal by Arla’s Dakar-based partner Agroline, and later extended to neighbouring countries.

"Agroline has a very strong ambient and chilled distribution setup across Senegal. Senegal will be our hub for expanding into Mali and also Mauretania with our products. Depending on capacity we expect to launch in Mali later this year," added Hadsbjerg.

Arla already offers its Dano long-life liquid milk in Senegal and plans to enhance its product range in this region.

Recently, Arla signed an agreement with YUM-YUM, a local pizza chain in Senegal, for the supply of mozzarella.