Valio Expands Sustainability Bonus Program to Support Finnish Dairy Farms in 2025

Valio Expands Sustainability Bonus Program to Support Finnish Dairy Farms in 2025

(IN BRIEF) Valio’s updated sustainability bonus program for 2025 will distribute nearly EUR 60 million to its dairy farms, rewarding actions that improve animal welfare, reduce carbon footprints, and support biodiversity. With an emphasis on climate actions such as carbon farming and outdoor grazing, the program reflects Valio’s ongoing commitment to sustainability in Finland’s dairy industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 29-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ —Valio, a leading Finnish dairy cooperative, has announced updates to its sustainability program, offering nearly EUR 60 million in sustainability bonuses to its dairy farmers for 2025. The program continues to focus on animal welfare, reducing carbon footprints, increasing outdoor exercise for livestock, and fostering farming practices that support biodiversity. With an updated framework starting May 1, 2025, the initiative is designed to further incentivize sustainable practices across Valio’s extensive network of dairy farms.

Expanded Sustainability Actions and Bonuses

The revamped program includes a payment structure where dairy farms will receive a baseline bonus of 1 cent per liter of milk for mandatory sustainability actions. Farms that opt for additional voluntary actions, such as carbon farming and improving animal welfare, can earn up to an additional 2 cents per liter. Furthermore, a new component for carbon farming and establishing and managing wetlands allows farms to earn an extra cent per liter. The maximum sustainability bonus that a dairy farm can receive is now 4 cents per liter of milk delivered to Valio.

For a typical farm of 60 cows, this represents a potential bonus of over EUR 20,000 annually, a significant contribution towards improving sustainability at the farm level. The total program includes over 3,200 dairy farms, representing nearly 80% of Finland’s milk production, and the sustainability bonuses are paid out as part of the milk price to farmer-owners.

Sustainability Achievements and Future Focus

Since its inception in 2018, Valio’s sustainability bonus has been a key part of the cooperative’s approach to promoting sustainability in the dairy sector. The program’s impact is measurable and tied to concrete actions that improve environmental and animal welfare outcomes. In 2025, 94% of Valio’s dairy farmers have chosen to participate in voluntary sustainability actions, including significant climate initiatives like carbon farming and reducing the carbon footprint of operations. Carbon farming will be carried out on around 1,800 farms across more than 200,000 hectares of land.

Outdoor grazing, an action that contributes to both animal welfare and biodiversity, will be practiced by 82% of Valio farms, with more than 20% of farms allowing year-round outdoor grazing for their cattle.

Supporting a Sustainable Dairy Industry

Valio’s sustainability efforts align with the growing consumer demand for transparency and sustainability in food production. The cooperative’s dedication to implementing effective, measurable sustainability actions not only benefits farmers but also ensures that Valio’s products meet the high environmental and ethical standards valued by consumers, retail chains, and industrial customers.

Media Contact:

Tel: +358 10 381 2118
email: mediadesk@valio.fi

SOURCE: Valio