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FY2021 Annual Report · Arafura Resources
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BUILDING 
STRENGTH IN 
A VOLATILE 
MARKET

Consolidated 
Annual Report

OUR VISION
CREATE THE 
fUTURE Of DAiRy 
TO BRiNG HEALTH 
AND iNSpiRATiON  
TO THE wORLD, 
NATURALLy

3 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021 

TABLE Of CONTENTS

MANAGEMENT REViEw
04 
05 
06 

 2021 Performance at a glance
 Message from the Chairman and the CEO
 Message from the Chairman:  
Creating the future of dairy  
from the ground up
 Message from the CEO:  
Solid performance and sustainability 
action in another volatile year
 Highlights
 Five year overview

07 

08 
10 

STRATEGy
13 
14 

 Our business model
 Good Growth 2020  
prepared us for the future
  Achievements of our Calcium programme
 Trends shaping our strategy

15 
16 
18  Future 26 – Our new strategy
19 
  Lead sustainable dairy
20  Scale to grow
21 
22 

  Build growth platforms
  Collaborate for efficiencies

OUR SUSTAiNABiLiTy jOURNEy
24  Our sustainability strategy
25 
26 
27 

 Stronger planet – Our environmental ambition
 Sustainability on farms
 Stronger people – Our societal ambition

OUR BRANDS AND 
COMMERCiAL SEGMENTS
29  Our global brands 
32 
33 
34  Arla Foods Ingredients
35  Global industry sales

 Europe
International

Navigation in the report

Brings you back to the table of contents

Read more in the report

pERfORMANCE REViEw
38 
39 
45 

 Market overview
 Performance overview
 Financial outlook

 Governance framework

GOVERNANCE
47 
49  Board of Directors
52  Executive Management Team
54  Management remuneration
55  Diversity and inclusion

RiSK AND COMpLiANCE
58  Risk management
59  Risk overview – Critical risks
60  Risk overview – Major risks
61  Our work with controls and compliance
62 

 Responsible and transparent tax practices

CONSOLiDATED 
fiNANCiAL STATEMENTS
64 
65 
73 
117   Statement by the Board of Directors  

 Table of contents
 Primary financial statements
 Notes

and the Executive Board

118  Statement by the auditors

ENViRONMENTAL, SOCiAL 
AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) DATA
120  Table of contents
121  Sustainability performance at a glance 
122  Committed to transparent action
123  Fiveyear overview
124  Notes
136  Statement by the auditors

137   Glossary
139   Corporate calendar

Our external reporting comprises of three reports: Annual report, 
sustainability report and environmental, social and governance 
(ESG) report. Each includes content tailored to its specific audience, 
and cross-references to the other reports where relevant.

BUILDING 
STRENGTH IN 
A VOLATILE 
MARKET

Annual report
Our annual report is our detailed annual account 
of the company’s performance, strategy and 
governance. It includes our consolidated financial 
statements and our externally audited ESG figures.

Consolidated 
Annual Report

Sustainability report
Our sustainability report describes how we 
work with social, ethical and environmental 
commitments, and also serves as our annual 
communication on our progress towards the 
UN Global Compact, and the statutory statement 
on CSR in accordance with section 99a of the 
Danish Financial Statements Act.

Sustainability results

2021 
EnvironmEntal, 
social and  
govErnancE 
(Esg) rEport

BUILDING 
SUSTAINABLE 
SOLUTIONS

Sustainability 
Report

Environmental, social and  
governance (ESG) report
The ESG report focuses on presenting our ESG 
data and corresponding methodologies and 
accounting policies in detail. The ESG report 
carries a reasonable assurance statement by EY.

4 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Management Review   /   2021 performance at a glance

Contents

2021 pERfORMANCE AT A GLANCE

STRATEGiC ASpiRATiONS

fiNANCiAL pERfORMANCE

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth

4.5%

2021

2020

2019

Revenue 
(EURb)

11.2

Performance price*
(EUR-cent/kg)

39.7

Profit share**
(of revenue)

3.0% 

Milk volume
(bkg)

13.6

4.5%

7.7%

5.1%

2021

2020

2019

11.2

10.6

10.5

2021

2020

2019

39.7

36.5

36.3

2021

2020

2019

3.0%

3.2%

3.0%

2021

2020

2019

Target 2021:  1-3%

Target 2021: 10.3 -10.6 EURb

Target 2021: 2.8-3.2%

CO₂e emission reduction,  
SCOpE 1 AND 2 

CO₂e emission reduction,  
SCOpE 3 per kg of milk  
and whey

QUALiTy Of BUSiNESS

COST AND CASH

Brand share

International share***

Calcium savings excl. inflation

Leverage

49.3%

24.1%

155

2.6

7%

2020: 7%

2021

2020

2019

49.3%

48.9%

46.7%

2021

2020

2019

24.1%

23.6%

21.9%

2021

2020

2019

155

143

141

2021

2020

2019

Target 2021: > 50%

Target 2021: > 23.5%

Target 2021: 2.8-3.4

25%

2020: 24%

Baseline: 2015
Science Based Target 
2030: - 63%

13.6

13.9

13.8

2.6

2.7

2.8

Baseline: 2015.  
Science Based Target 2030: -30%

* The milk conversion factor from litre into kg was 1.02 for milk volumes until  
30 June 2021. Effective from 1 July 2021, the milk conversion factor is 1.03.  
Historical figures were restated throughout the report according to the new conversion  
factor. This change was only applied to the owner milk volumes.
** Based on profit allocated to owners of Arla Foods amba.
*** International share is based on retail and foodservice revenue, excluding revenue  
from third-party manufacturing, Arla Foods Ingredients and trading activities.

MESSAGE fROM  
THE CHAIRMAN  
AND THE CEO

6 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Mangement review   /   Chairman letter 

Contents

CREATiNG THE fUTURE Of DAiRy  
fROM THE GROUND Up

In 2021, both on-farm and company operations 
were heavily impacted by the continued effects 
of the  Covid-19 pandemic and rapidly rising 
production  costs. Yet thanks to the dedicated 
efforts of farmers, employees and management, 
Arla successfully navigated this challenging 
environment to deliver strong performance while 
making key progress on our sustainability journey. 

In volatile market conditions, Arla’s brands continued 
their strong growth trajectory, gaining ground in a 
number of important markets to reach a strategic 
branded volume growth of 4.5 per cent – on top 
of unprecedented growth in 2020. Combined with 
continued efficiency gains across the supply chain 
and rising commodity prices, this meant we were 
able to deliver our farmer owners a competitive 
performance price of 39.7 EUR-cent/kg. While this 
represents an increase from 36.5 EUR-cent/kg in 
2020, it is also a necessary development as our 
farmer owners have been under intense pressure 
from the sharp price increases on labour, feed, 
energy and other commodities. 

New strategy 
Building on our strong financial and commercial 
position, we launched our Future26 strategy 
in 2021,  cementing our commitment to 
sustainable dairy production and growing the 
business responsibly. While global demand for 

dairy is growing, so too are expectations from 
consumers. This requires investments, both 
within the company and for our owners, whose 
farming practices are more important than 
ever. For them to continue and accelerate their 
sustainability efforts, and future-proofing their 
business, we must secure the highest value 
for their milk. This ambition is reflected both in 
our target to deliver a competitive milk price 
and our new retainment policy, which means 
that we will return more of the annual profit to 
our farmer owners in the coming years – from 
previously 1.0 EUR-cent/kg milk to a guaranteed 
1.5 EUR-cent/kg. Over the strategy’s five-year span 
this will amount to a supplementary payment of 
more than EUR 1 billion.

Accelerating sustainability efforts
Conducting the second round of Climate Checks in 
2021 was an important step on our sustainability 
journey. Confirming that Arla’s farmers are among 
the most climate-efficient in the world, detailed 
data from almost 8,000 farmer owners provides us 
with a unique tool to guide efforts and measure our 
progress in the coming years, collectively as well as 
on the individual farm. The continued efforts of our 
farmers, our participation in research projects and 
piloting new technology and innovative farming 
methods give us a strong setup to accelerate 
improvements. 

“

Combined with continued 
efficiency gains across the supply 
chain and rising commodity prices, 
we were able to deliver our farmer 
owners a competitive performance 
price of 39.7 EUR-cent/kg.

”

Building on our unique strengths as a farmer-
owned cooperative and optimising our democracy 
was another key priority in 2021. Through the 
Coop 2.0 initiative, our owners have shown great 
engagement in dialogues about the future of 
our cooperative, how to improve our democratic 
processes and member engagement and ways for 
us to best work together as we create the future 
of dairy. 

Jan Toft Nørgaard 
Chairman of the Board of Directors

7 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Mangement review   /   CEO letter

Contents

SOLiD pERfORMANCE AND SUSTAiNABiLiTy 
ACTiON iN ANOTHER VOLATiLE yEAR

2021 proved to be far more volatile and disrupted 
than anticipated. While the global economy 
recovered more quickly than expected and the 
demand for dairy products remained high, the 
impact of Covid-19 persisted throughout the year. 
Massive global supply chain challenges, labour 
scarcity and inflation had widespread impact on 
operations and costs both for the company and for 
our farmer owners. 

Yet, month on month, we managed sales and 
operations firmly, delivering solid results on our 
most important performance indicators while at 
the same time maintaining a high activity and 
investment level. Combined with relatively high 
global raw milk prices, this resulted in an improved 
performance price of 39.7 EUR-cent/kg in 2021, 
up from 36.5 EUR-cent/kg in 2020. 

Our brands did exceptionally well in 2021. Shifts in 
consumer patterns towards more dining out and 
less home cooking as lockdowns eased and rising 
prices towards the end of the year gave us some 
headwind, however we delivered volume growth 
above expectations, at 4.5 per cent and increased 
market share in key position. Both the European 
and International zones built on the exceptional 
brand performance in 2020 and achieved 2.3 and 
9.1 per cent branded volume growth in 2021, 
respectively. Particularly StarbucksTM and Castello® 
exceeded expectations, but also Arla®, Lurpak® and 
Puck® delivered solid growth. 

“

Month on month, we managed 
sales and operations firmly, 
delivering solid results on our 
most important performance 
indicators while at the same time 
maintaining a high activity and 
investment level.

”

On a 1.5°C trajectory
Towards the end of the year, our new Future26 
strategy was launched with the central ambition to 
lead on value creation and sustainability. Together 
with our farmer owners, we will ensure that people 
can continue to trust and enjoy the benefits, 
versatility and affordability of dairy nutrition from a 
cooperative that continuously takes climate action. 

I am therefore delighted that, close to year-end, 
we received the much awaited approval from the 
Science Based Targets initiative deeming our new 
emission reduction target for operations as consis-
tent with reductions required to limit global warming 
to 1.5°C. With plans to convert to fossil-free trucks, 
green electricity and low-energy solutions at our 
sites, we are doubling our emission reduction target 
for operations from 30 to 63 per cent by 2030.

Climate Checks and stepped up the efforts to utilise 
the farm data, advisory services, ongoing research 
and pilot farm trails to make more knowledge 
and solutions available to our owners. Owners 
that generate electricity from renewable energy 
sources on farm were also given the opportunity 
to help power their dairy company by selling their 
Guarantees of Origin to Arla at a competitive price.  

Outlook for 2022
We expect the inflation and volatility to continue 
to impact our business and other sectors well into 
2022, and the impact on consumer behaviours 
will be multifaceted and difficult to predict. It is 
likely that we will see a slowdown in our branded 
growth until the market resettles at a new level. 
As demonstrated in 2020 and 2021, we will do 
what we can to respond quickly and diligently to 
protect profitability as well as the continuity of 
our operations and the health and safety of our 
colleagues in the workplace. 

2022 will be the important first year of executing 
our new Future26 strategy. With the robust 
foundations we stand upon today, the next five 
years will see us investing more than ever in 
innovation, digitalisation and sustainability across 
our value chain and in our brands for the benefit 
of our owners, customers and consumers. 

The important sustainability work at farm level 
progressed, as we conducted the second round of 

Peder Tuborgh
CEO

 
8 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Management Review   /   Highlights

Contents

HiGHLiGHTS

2021 was characterised by three themes for Arla: volatility, strong performance and the future. Covid-19, volatility of the dairy market and the historically high 
inflation affected Arla from farmers to customers. Nevertheless, our cooperative performed as strong as ever, with a competitive milk price paid to our owners, 
remarkably high branded growth and efficiencies created across our supply chain. This performance created a strong foundation for Arla to launch our new 
strategy, Future26, which will make Arla a leader in value creation and sustainability.

4.5%

Read more

Read more

39.7 EUR-CENT/KG

Performance price

Our strategic brands performed exceptionally well on the backdrop of fast evolving consumer 
habits due to the Covid-19 lockdowns and general uncertainty, reaching 4.5 per cent 
branded volume growth and gaining market share in key regions. Growth was driven by our 
strong operations, the agility of our business as well as high consumer confidence in our 
brands. The branded share of our revenue reached 49.3 per cent.

Our performance price reached 
39.7 EUR-cent/kg in 2021. This 
positions Arla among the market 
leaders in Europe and supports our 
farmer owners, who also face increasing 
production costs at their farms.

Read more

Read more

Read more

VOLATiLiTy

In 2021, Arla had to navigate an intensely volatile 
market still very much affected by Covid-19. Fast 
economic rebound and disrupted global supply 
chains took inflation to unprecedented levels, while 
low milk supply combined with high demand for 
dairy products accelerated commodity prices to 
historical heights in the second half of 2021.

17%

Our e-commerce channel experienced 
an outstanding revenue growth of 
17 per cent due to changing shopping 
habits and our agile reaction to 
the trend.

We launched our ambitious new five-year strategy from a position of financial and 
commercial strength, and committed ourselves to becoming leaders in sustainability  
and value creation.

9 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Management Review   /   Highlights

Contents

HiGHLiGHTS / CONTiNUED

Read more

Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) opened a 
new, state-of-the-art innovation centre in 
Denmark spanning 9,000 square metres to 
develop new ways in specialised dairy and 
whey ingredients.

1.5 C0

Read more

9,000 M2

Read more

1.15 KG

Based on the 2021 data from our Climate Check 
programme, our farmers remained amongst 
We paid a competitive milk price of 36.X 
the most climate efficient in the world with only 
Eur-cent/kg to our farmer owners, driven 
1.15 kg of CO₂e emission per kg of milk.
by the success of our brands and rising 
commodity prices.

Read more

0NET

Arla joined forces with three other dairy 
industry leaders, Mengniu, Royal Fries-
landCampina and Fonterra to back the 
Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiative and 
support each other in becoming carbon 
neutral across our supply chains by 2050.

Our new strategy, Future26, significantly raised 
our climate ambition, which is now aligned 
with the 1.5°C global warming commitment 
of the Paris agreement. 

Read more

Arla now ranks number five on the 
Access to Nutrition index which 
assesses how the top 25 global food 
and beverage companies contribute 
to the Sustainable Development Goals   
on nutrition.

NO.5

10 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Management Review   /   Five Year Overview

Contents

fiVE-yEAR OVERViEw

fiNANCiAL KEy fiGURES

2021

2020

2019

2018*

2017*

fiNANCiAL KEy fiGURES

2021

2020

2019

2018*

2017*

Performance price (EUR-cent)
EUR-cent/kg owner milk

Income statement (EURm)
Revenue
EBITDA
EBIT 
Net financials
Profit for the year

Profit appropriation for the year (EURm)
Individual capital
Common capital
Supplementary payment

Balance sheet (EURm)
Total assets
Non-current assets
Current assets
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Net interest-bearing debt including pension liabilities
Net working capital

Cash flows (EURm)
Cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow from investing activities
Free cash flow
Cash flow from financing activities
Investments in property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of enterprises

39.7

36.5

36.3

36.0

37.7

11,202
948
468
-61
346

10,644
909
458
-72
352

10,527
837
406
-59
323

10,425
767
404
-62
301

10,338
738
385
-64
299

42
83
207

7,813
4,668
3,145
2,910
2,446
2,457
2,466
810

780
-482
298
-330
-452
-

41
81
223

7,331
4,413
2,918
2,639
2,296
2,396
2,427
679

731
-488
243
-293
-478
-

61
123
127

7,106
4,243
2,863
2,494
2,304
2,308
2,362
823

773
-571
202
-136
-425
-168

0
0
290

6,635
3,697
2,938
2,519
1,694
2,422
1,867
894

649
-432
217
-191
-383
-51

38
120
127

6,442
3,550
2,871
2,369
1,554
2,499
1,913
970

386
-219
167
-155
-248
-7

Financial ratios
Profit share
EBIT margin
Leverage
Interest cover
Equity ratio

Inflow of raw milk (mkg)
Inflow from owners in Denmark
Inflow from owners in the UK
Inflow from owners in Sweden
Inflow from owners in Germany
Inflow from owners in the Netherlands, Belgium  
and Luxembourg
Inflow from others
Total inflow of raw milk

Number of owners
Owners in Sweden
Owners in Denmark
Owners in Germany
Owners in the UK
Owners in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg
Total number of owners

3.0%
4.2%
2,6
23.7
37%

4,952
3,306
1,838
1,681

741
1,128
13,646

 2,236
2,274
1,497
2,127
822
8,956

3.2%
4.3%
2.7
16.8
35%

5,011
3,303
1,844
1,731

749
1,231
13,869

2,374
2,357
1,576
2,241
858
9,406

3.0%
3.9%
2.8
12.0
34%

4,988
3,261
1,806
1,717

731
1,323
13,826

2,497
2,436
1,731
2,190
905
9,759

Environmental, social and governance data
CO₂e scope 1 and 2 (mkg) reduction
CO₂e scope 3/kg of milk and whey reduction
Average number of full-time equivalents
Gender diversity, Board

-25,0%
-7,0%
20.617
13%

-24,0%
-7,0%
20,020
13%

-12,0%
-7,0%
19,174
13%

2.8%
3.9%
2.4
14.9
37%

4,986
3,227
1,844
1,779

732
1,457
14,025

2,630
2,593
1,841
2,289
966
10,319

-4,0%
-7,0%
19,190
12%

2.8%
3.7%
2.6
12.9
36%

4,874
3,235
1,873
1,776

736
1,564
14,058

2,780
2,675
2,327
2,395
1,085
11,262

-5,0%
-6,0%
18,973
13%

* Not restated following the implementation of the IFRS 16 Leases standard.

   For in-depth info, please refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements (from page 64),  
and the Environmental, Social and Governance Statements report (from page 120). 

 
Contents

Our Business model

Good Growth 2020 

Achievements of our Calcium programme

Trends shaping our strategy

Future 26 – Our new strategy

Lead sustainable dairy

Scale to grow

Build growth platforms

Collaborate for efficiencies

STRATEGy

 
Arla is the world’s fourth largest dairy 
company based on milk intake, and the 
world’s largest organic dairy producer. 

We are also the oldest cross-border 
dairy cooperative, and as such, our 
farmer owners are at the core of our 
business model. 

Our vision is to create the future of dairy 
to bring health and inspiration to the 
world, naturally. 

Our aspiration is to become a leader in 
value creation and sustainability.

13 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Management Review   /   Our Business model

Contents

OUR BUSiNESS MODEL

OwNERS & COwS

MiLK COLLECTiON

•   

•   

 We have 8,956 farmer owners, who are 
responsible for over 1.5 million cows
 Our owners are amongst the best in the world* 
in terms of efficient and sustainable production, 
with only 1.15 kg CO₂e emissions per kg of milk

•  

 We collect around 13.6 billion kg of raw 
milk each year, mainly from our owners in 
seven countries 

pRODUCTiON, 
pACKAGiNG & iNNOVATiON

•     We process milk at our 60 sites
•   

 We produce 6.8 billion kg of nutritious dairy products 
each year

OUR MiSSiON iS TO SECURE THE  
HiGHEST VALUE fOR OUR fARMERS’ 
MiLK wHiLE CREATiNG OppORTUNiTiES 
fOR THEiR GROwTH

CONSUMERS & wASTE MANAGEMENT

CUSTOMERS

•   We provide nutrition for millions of people
• 

  It is important to us that our products have the lowest possible negative impact on the 
environment throughout their lifecycle. We work continuously to reduce our waste

•  We sell our products in 152 countries
•  

 We add value to our owners’ milk through innovation, branding and marketing, 
and the profit is shared among owners through the milk payment

* FAO and GDP. 2018. Climate change and the global dairy cattle sector – The role of the dairy sector in a low-carbon future

14 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Strategy   /   Good Growth 2020 prepared us for the future

Contents

GOOD GROwTH 2020  
pREpARED US fOR THE fUTURE

Summing up Good Growth 2020
One year ago we concluded our Good Growth 2020 strategy. Despite 
Covid-19 and other unprecedented external impacts throughout the 
strategy period, Good Growth 2020 delivered above expectations on 
all four target KPIs, and continued to guide and support our business in 
2021, a gap year between two strategical periods.. 

KEy ACHiEVEMENTS

Strategic branded volume 
driven revenue growth

4.5%

Brand share

International share

49.3%

24.1%

With the strategy we strengthened our competitiveness and our 
international presence, and we structurally improved the quality of our 
business by shifting volumes from low margin private label and industry 
sales into our higher margin branded retail and food ingredient business. 

As a response to unforeseen external impacts on our business, including 
depreciation of currencies, especially GBP and SEK, and the unstable fat 
and protein prices, we launched our savings and efficiency programme, 
Calcium, in 2018 to accelerate the Good Growth 2020 strategy. 

In 2019, we launched our new sustainability strategy, which focuses on 
improving the environment for future generations, increasing access 
to healthy dairy nutrition, and inspiring good food habits. As part of this 
strategy we defined clear pathways to reduce our carbon footprint and 
set ambitious, science-based reduction goals. 

“

Our new strategy Future26 is largely 
built on the learnings and results from 
Good Growth 2020, while the lessons 
from the global pandemic are also 
reflected in our strategic thinking.

”

Target 2021: 1-3%

Target 2021: > 50% 

Target 2021: > 23.5%

STRUCTURAL SHifT iN BUSiNESS
(percentage of revenue)

60%
Non-branded revenue

50.7%
Non-branded revenue

40%
Branded revenue

49.3%
Branded revenue

2014

2021

CO₂e emission reduction,  
SCOpE 1 AND 2 

CO₂e emission reduction,  
SCOpE 3 per kg of milk  
and whey

25%

Baseline: 2015
Science Based Target 
2030: - 63%

7%

Baseline: 2015.  
Science Based Target 2030: -30%

Read more about our Sustainability strategy

Read more about our Cacium programme

15 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Strategy   /   Achievements of our Calcium programme

Contents

ACHiEVEMENTS Of OUR CALCiUM pROGRAMME

In 2018, we launched our four-year transformation and efficiency programme, Calcium, to accelerate Arla’s 
strategy by transforming the way we work, spend and invest. In its final year in 2021, Calcium continued to 
create efficiencies and was a crucial mitigating factor in alleviating the effects of inflation on our business. 
We concluded the programme with EUR 634 million total savings*. 

Calcium delivered much more than savings, it truly made the 
way we work, spend and invest smarter. Here are some key 
transformations from the past four years:

634* 2021: 155

2019: 141

2020: 143

EURm total savings, excl. inflation

2018: 195

OwNER / fARMER
Savings and efficiencies 
contribute to improving 
the milk price

SUppLIERS

ADMiNiSTRATiON

SALES AND MARKETiNG

LOGiSTiCS

pRODUCTiON

We significantly reduced 
the number of suppliers and 
increased compliance with 
ordering policies.

A new level of transparency by 
deep diving to the details of 
our spend enabled us to spend 
where it matters. We significantly 
reduced costs that do not directly 
contribute to our products.

We now spend less on developing 
campaigns and focus more on 
reaching consumers. Our content 
is now developed cheaper, 
faster and better in our in-house 
digital studios, the Barn. We also 
developed more efficient 
promotional tools that help us 
create more effective sales and 
rebates campaigns.

With the help of increased 
transparency into logistics data, 
we optimised the distribution 
to customers – route by route – 
creating value for us and our 
customers

We created profound change 
at every site and in every role. 
We shifted our focus to the 
efficiency of the individual 
production line and to overall 
equipment efficiency to ensure 
significant drop in waste. We also 
reduced complexity and share 
more products across markets.

CUSTOMERS 
AND CONSUMERS
Better service and more 
sustainable products

Read more in Our performance review

* Calcium savings including inflation in 2021: EUR -66 million. Total Calcium savings including inflation: EUR 287 million.

16 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Strategy   /   Trends shaping our strategy

Contents

TRENDS SHApiNG OUR STRATEGy 

KEy DEMOGRApHiC  
TRENDS

GROwiNG 
pOpULATiON
Population growth in millions, 
2020-2030

+750

ACCELERATED 
URBANiSATiON 
Growth of urban populations, 
2020-2030

+8%

pOINTS

56% -> 64%

CONSUMER TRENDS DRiVE  
GROwTH OppORTUNiTiES

Consumers demand more 
ADVANCED 
NUTRITION, 
sustainability on all fronts and 
new sources of food

Purchase patterns are disrupted as 
online grocery shopping keeps 
growing, and technology becomes  
a differentiator, leading to a
CHANNEL 
REVOLUTiON

DEMAND  
fOR DAiRy 
Forecasted yearly growth

STRONG  
ECONOMy  
Global GDP growth, 2020-2024

CONSUMER 
ACTiViSM 

+2%

+5%

increases the need  
for transparency and 
authenticity 

SUSTAiNABiLiTy

Sustainability has become a 
deciding purchase factor for 
an increasingly large group 
of consumers

17 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Strategy   /   Trends shaping our strategy

Contents

TRENDS SHApiNG OUR STRATEGy / CONTiNUED 

INGOiNG CONDiTiONS fOR OUR STRATEGy

If THERE 
EVER wAS 
A TiME TO 
CREATE  
THE fUTURE 
Of DAiRy,  
iT iS NOw

DAiRy iS AT A DEfiNiNG MOMENT
Globally, the desire for dairy is increasing, but it’s also changing. How, when and 
where people buy and  consume dairy is fast-evolving. Lifestyles and beliefs are 
being shaped by sustainability, nutrition science, technology and urbanization, 
intensifying the competition amongst old and new players in the market, and 
ultimately deciding who the winners and losers will be.

CLiMATE CHANGE AND MALNUTRiTiON ARE 
AMONGST THE BiGGEST CHALLENGES Of OUR TiME
These are the challenges our cooperative faces –and also our greatest  
opportunities. Our food system requires re-thinking and dairy is definitely  
part of the solution.

wiTH “GOOD GROwTH 2020”, OUR pREViOUS  
STRATEGy, wE ARE iN A STRONG pOSiTiON
We created the right recipe for how to grow our brands and our market share, 
deliver efficiencies and invest in sustainable action across our value chain. While, 
simultaneously, delivering a competitive milk price to our owners, even during 
the disruption of the pandemic.

18 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Strategy   /   Future 26 – Our new strategy

Contents

fUTURE 26 – OUR NEw STRATEGy

Our new strategy aims at providing answers on how to ensure a healthy, sustainable growth for our business by 
integrating our sustainability ambitions right to its core. Future26 shows how to direct our resources and ways 
of working towards what we believe will define the future of dairy. We strive for our vision – to bring health and 
inspiration to the world, naturally – with a strategic aspiration to be  a leader in value creation and sustainability.

VISION
Creating the future of dairy to bring health and 
inspiration to the world, naturally

STRATEGy ASpIRATION
A leader in value creation and sustainability

LEAD 
SUSTAINABLE 
DAIRy

SCALE 
TO 
GROw

BUILD 
GROwTH 
pLATfORMS

COLLABORATE 
fOR 
EffICIENCIES

DIGITAL & INNOVATION AS ACCELERATORS

STRATEGy ASpIRATION

103-107 

Peer group index

3-4% 

Branded growth

SCOpE 1+2

-63%

SCOpE 3

-30%

By 2030

pEER GROUp INDEX
We aspire to have a 
competitive milk price 
compared to our peers

BRANDED GROwTH
We aim to create brands 
and products that bring 
value to our consumers' 
life through health and 
nutrition

CO2E
We commit to the 
1.5°C ambition and to 
becoming the most 
ambitious global dairy 
cooperative

INVESTMENTS 
Future26 steps up investments to support 
owners & value creation

wIN wITH OUR OwNERS & pEOpLE

EUR 4+ BILLION 

19 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Strategy   /   lead sustainable dairy

Contents

LEAD SUSTAINABLE DAIRy

Climate change and malnutrition are amongst the most difficult challenges of 
our time. Providing a healthy, affordable, and environmentally friendly diet for a 
growing population requires a radical transformation of the global food system. 
To lead this transformation towards a more sustainable future we must accelerate 
our actions to meet our targets, and we must secure a strong commercial value 
to make the journey financially sustainable for our owners.

How will we do that?

•   Arla farmers will lead the way and accelerate 
carbon reductions through more efficient 
practices and new technologies.

•   We will inspire healthier and stronger 

lives by offering more healthy, natural and 
affordable products

•   We will create a sustainable supply chain 
by investing in energy optimization and 
green electricity and converting our 
vehicles to fossil free fuel

•   We will create circular packaging by using 
less and better plastic and ensuring our 
packaging is recyclable.

•   We will secure a strong commercial value 

to make the journey financially sustainable 
for our owners.

1.5

DEGREE COMMiTMENT

fARMS

LOGiSTiCS

1.   Supporting implementation and monetize 

on-farm progress

2.  Numerous levers identified to jointly secure 
reduction, eg. Breeding, feeding, peat soil 
management

1.  Reducing mileage through optimization
2.  Fossil free fleet through conversion of our 

internal fleet to biodiesel, biogas and electric 
trucks

3.  Engaging suppliers to secure that they also 

3.  Developing and scaling of new technologies

reduce fossil fuels in their fleet

OpERATiONS

pACKAGiNG

1.  Reducing energy consumption through 
on-site investments and efficiencies

2.  Using 100 per cent green electricity in Europe 

1.  Ensuring that our branded packaging is 

actually recyclable where our consumers live
2.  Securing recycled and bioplastic availability 

by the end of 2025

3.  Creating pilots for new technologies and fuels, 

and developing solutions to use these 
materials

e.g. high temperature heath pumps

3. Replacing plastic by developing fiber solutions

Read more about Our sustainability journey on page 23

 
20 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Strategy   /   Scale to grow

Contents

SCALE TO GROw

Over the years, we developed unique strengths and capabilities, such as 
strong brands, unique technologies, category leadership and expertise in our 
supply chain that allowed us to produce world leading products, increased 
our competitiveness and enabled us to build market leading positions. 
Scaling these strengths and capabilities will be key to creating more value 
for our owners.

How will we do that?

•   We will strenghten our global brands. 

We will invest in creating further loyalty 
and preference around our brands and 
connect with more consumers around 
the world. 

•   We will accelerate growth  by scaling 

the positions in which we have a global 
competitive advantage.

•   We will win in our core markets by 

strengthening our strategic partnerships 
with customers, taking leadership in the 
category, scaling our distribution and 
becoming stronger in both traditional and 
new sales channels.

•   We will take growth in Arla Foods 
Ingredients to the next level with 
cutting-edge innovation and strong 
partnerships with customers and suppliers

BRANDS 
Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth CAGR 2021-2026

6-8%

10-12%

3-4%

3-4%

4-5%

REVENUE SHARE DEVELOpMENT
Share of total revenue

3-4%
CAGR

4-6%
CAGR

Brands

AFI

Private Label

Trading

2021

2026

21 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Strategy   /   Build growth platforms

Contents

BUILD GROwTH pLATfORMS

The growing population and economic progress, especially in Asia, are 
driving a growing demand for dairy. At the same time, the dairy category is 
changing, in Europe and internationally. New lifestyles, technologies and 
beliefs mean people are increasingly shifting from traditional dairy to new 
products, formats and new channels. 

GROwTH MARKETS

GERMANy
NETHERLANDS
wEST AfRICA
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
CHINA

How will we do that?

•   We will build positions in selected growth 
markets with focus on our brands and 
innovation.

•   We will accelerate foodservice globally by 
growing our arla pro brand in restaurants 
and bakeries. 

•   We will accelerate e-commerce by 

building partnerships with the best e-com 
platforms and continuing to develop the 
capabilities necessary to win online.

GROwTH CHANNELS

E-COMMERCE

5-10%

fOODSERViCE

4-6%

Revenue CAGR development, 
2021-2026

SB VDRG CAGR development, 
2021-2026

22 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Strategy   /   Collaborate for efficiencies

Contents

COLLABORATE fOR EffICIENCIES

Being an efficient company is core to our competitiveness. Our transformation 
programme, Calcium, improved our efficiency significantly and the journey will 
continue with Future26 and our new efficiency programme, Fund our Future.  
We are already advanced in functional efficiency and it’s now time to take the 
next step with heightened focus on net revenue management and end-to-end 
efficiency planning. 

CALCiUM (2018-2021): COST fOCUS
Functional & capability driven

How will we do that?

•   We will fund our future by having an 

end-to-end focus on becoming both more 
efficient and more effective in the way we 
work. 

•   We will future-proof our supply chain by 

continuing to optimize where and how we 
produce and deliver our products while 
reducing our carbon footprint. 

•   We will partner with customers to create 

growth and drive excellence. with 
commercial, agile operating models, 
digital tools and data.

fUND OUR fUTURE (2022-2026):  
COST & NET REVENUE fOCUS
Cross-functional & digital capability driven
Savings target: 500 million EUR

IT / digital

Commercial

E2E planning

Production

Supply chain network

Our sustainability strategy

Stronger planet - Our environmental ambition

Sustainability on farms

Stronger people - Our societal ambition

Contents

OUR 
SUSTAINABILITy 
jOURNEy

24 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our sustainability journey   /   Our sustainability strategy

Contents

OUR SUSTAiNABiLiTy STRATEGy

At Arla we believe that dairy is part of the solution to one of the most pressing issues of our time: to feed a 
growing population sustainably. Our products satisfy a range of nutritional needs across generations and 
continents with a constantly reduced environmental impact. Our journey to become the leading sustainable 
dairy company is guided by our comprehensive sustainability strategy, inspired by the UN Sustainable 
Development Goals. We are committed to making both the planet and people stronger.

Our sustainability strategy was launched in 2019, and our ambitions 
were further strengthened in our new company strategy, Future 26, 
where sustainability is one of the four key focus areas. We approach 
sustainability from two perspectives, the planet and the people, as we 
aim to improve the environment for future generations while increasing 
access to healthy dairy nutrition. The strategy is founded on our Code of 
Conduct, which ensures our commitment to respecting human rights 
and responsible business practices across our markets. 

Our work with sustainability contributes to the realisation of the UN’s 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our prioritised focus is on the 
SDGs we can directly influence through our value chain to maximise our 
positive impact while addressing our negative impacts as well. These 
SDGs relate to food, environment and climate.

In the following section, we give detailed insights into our journey to 
reduce our climate impact and environmental footprint, particularly on 
farms, and also elaborate on how our sustainability strategy relates to 
society. 

Taking actions to support a
STRONGER pLANET
by improving the environment  
for future generations

Helping and enabling 
STRONGER pEOpLE
by increasing access to healthy dairy  
nutrition and inspiring good food habits

Sustainable  
dairy farming

Carbon  
net zero 
operations

Minimising 
food waste

Sustainable 
packaging

Protecting 
nature

Access to  
healthy  
nutrition

Inspiring good 
food habits

Supporting 
communities

Caring for  
people

Read our detailed and externally audited  
environmental, social and governance data 

Read more stories and follow our SDG  
progress in our sustainability report

CODE Of CONDUCT
Our responsibility throughout the value chain

25 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our sustainability journey   /   Stronger planet - Our environmental ambition

Contents

STRONGER pLANET – OUR ENViRONMENTAL AMBiTiON

Countering climate change is at the top of the agenda in our cooperative. Together with our 8,956 farmer owners we 
updated our ambitious climate targets in 2021, which now commit us to contributing to the Paris agreement’s target of 
limiting global warming to 1.5°C. We are working towards becoming carbon net zero across our value chain by 2050. 
Our 2030 targets guide us on our way to carbon neutrality: reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions by 63 per cent in absolute 
terms, and scope 3 emissions by 30 per cent per kg of milk or whey. 

OUR CLiMATE AMBiTiON RELATES TO 
wHERE wE HAVE THE BiGGEST iMpACT

Scope 1 and 2

-63% by  
2030

-50% food  
waste by 2030

Farms

Transport

Production and offices

Transport

Waste management

-30% per kg of 
milk or whey 
by 2030

fURTHER AMBiTiONS

Scope 3

100%   
recyclable  
packaging by 
2025

See the definitions of the  
scopes in our ESG report

OUR BRANDS pLAy A KEy ROLE iN 
SECURiNG A STRONG COMMERCiAL VALUE 
TO MAKE THE jOURNEy fiNANCiALLy 
SUSTAiNABLE fOR OUR OwNERS

Clean air and water 
We are protecting regional water sources and reducing 
emissions across the whole value chain. 

More nature
We are building a more diverse, robust and accessible  
local agricultural landscape.

Our goal
Keep nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in balance.

Our goal
Increase biodiversity and access to nature.

26 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our sustainability journey   /   Sustainability on farms

Contents

SUSTAiNABiLiTy ON fARMS

Dairy is part of a healthy and sustainable diet due to its nutrient density. And, as is the case for all food production,  
it comes with a carbon cost. As part of the food industry, we have a great responsibility – and at the same time  
a great opportunity – to do something about it. 83 per cent of our emissions come from farms, so that is where 
we focus most of our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

Arla farmers have reduced their emissions by 23 per 
cent since 1990, and with our new global Climate 
Check tool launched  in 2019 we can now track 
and guide their progress better. In 2021, 93 per 
cent of our farmer owners answered the Climate 
Check’s 203 questions, covering feed, energy use, 
manure management, housing and multiple other 
relevant topics. Their answers were validated by 
external experts who also gave each of the farmers a 
personalised plan to reduce their climate footprint.

Based on the extensive data collected with the 
Climate Check tool, we can say that our farmers are 
amongst the most climate-efficient dairy farmers 
in the world with 1.15 kg of CO₂e per kg of milk. 
But this is just the beginning. The number is not a 
result – it is a baseline for how to improve. With their 
personalised climate action plans, our farmer owners 
now have a clear blueprint for how they can triple 
the speed of CO₂e reductions on their farms during 
this decade. They will focus on five key areas.

“

Our farmers are amongst the 
most climate-efficient dairy 
farmers in the world with 1.15 kg 
of CO₂e per kg of milk

Result of our Climate Check programme

”

THE fiVE MOST EffECTiVE CLiMATE ACTiONS ON fARM

More milk 
per feed
A cow’s feed has a big 
influence on how much milk 
it produces. If farmers manage 
to maximise the milk per feed 
ratio and minimise feed waste, 
the milk will be more climate 
efficient.

Feeding precise 
protein amounts
Cows need protein to stay 
healthy and produce milk but, 
like humans, they excrete 
unnecessary protein. Carefully 
measuring feed with the right 
protein levels means less 
nitrogen, a greenhouse gas, in 
the manure.

Healthy and  
happy cows
Cows that live a long and 
healthy life will produce more 
milk over their lifetime which 
improves climate efficiency.

Just the right  
amount of fertiliser 
Crops grow better if they are 
fertilised, but fertilisers emit 
greenhouse gasses. Matching 
precisely the amount of 
fertiliser with the plants’ 
needs and using different 
methods to spread the muck 
can improve the yield per 
carbon emission ratio.

Better feed  
crop yield
A lot of our farmer owners 
produce feed for their cows, 
which is great, because 
imported feed carries a higher 
carbon footprint. Feed yield 
can also be optimised to 
increase climate efficiency.

Animal welfare at Arla
In Arla we strongly believe that animals should be 
treated well, and the welfare of our herds is a key 
concern for our customers and consumers too. 
We do not take it lightly to ensure that Arla cows 
are well-cared for: our owners have to submit an 
extensive report on their herds’ well-being four 

times a year. To have an even clearer picture of  
animal welfare on farms, Arla also gathers data 
from the National Herd Databases of our owner 
countries to obtain information concerning the 
average lifespan, mortality and the average age of 
the cows at first calving. In an audit process 

harmonized across all owner countries, farmers are 
also visited by external experts specialized in 
animal welfare at least once every three years, to 
have their self-reported data validated and their 
herds checked-on. We report the result of these 
audits in our ESG section

Check our data in the ESG report

27 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our sustainability journey   /   Stronger people - Our societal ambition

Contents

STRONGER pEOpLE – OUR SOCiETAL AMBiTiON

As one of the largest dairy producers in the world, we have multifaceted responsibility towards society. 
We provide nutritious and sustainable dairy products to millions around the world, which gives us a 
great chance and mandate to inspire healthy food habits. To cater to the needs of a growing population 
in certain emerging markets where we operate, we promote the development of the local dairy sector. 
We also take good care of our over 20,000 employees by providing them with safe and favourable work 
conditions and means for an adequate standard of living. 

“

Sustainability is not just about reducing our climate 
impact. We have a large agenda, and sustainability  
is also about the people working for us in the entire 
value chain from farm to fork. We listen, we act and  
we try to lead by example in our industry.

”

Hanne Søndergaard, Chief Agriculture, Sustainability  
and Communications officer

Health and nutrition

Supporting communities

Reducing  
sugar 

Nutrition  
criteria

Going the extra mile to  
distribute affordable nutrition

International dairy  
development

Since 2011, we  have been making significant 
improvements to the health value of our 
products. For example, we have reduced 
the sugar content of various yoghurts and 
milk-based-beverages by up to 30 per cent.

Our nutrition criteria are guiding the principles  
of new product development and recipe 
formulation for our branded products.

Distributing affordable nutrition can be challenging 
in some markets. That is why, for example in 
Bangladesh, we teamed up with various partners 
to empower Bangladeshi micro-entrepreneurs to 
generate their own income, while distributing 
packs of Arla® Dano milk powder.

We work with local industry partners, NGOs and 
national governments to improve the dairy value 
chain through our knowledge of European farm 
management and dairy production practices.

Caring for people

Supporting better food habits

Human  
rights

Health  
and safety

Recipe  
inspiration

Farm  
visits

Educational   
activities

Building on our Scandinavian heritage, we are 
committed to respecting human rights, promot-
ing non-discrimination and ensuring it in our 
business around the world.

Our people are our strength, and it is our ambition 
to ensure that all people at Arla are safe at work.

Our chefs & food experts have 
provided over 10,000 recipes to 
inspire healthy and nutritious 
meals for the whole family.

Our owners open up their farms 
every year to over 200,000 
people visiting, so they can see 
where their food comes from. 

Arla has many educational 
initiatives that aim to encourage 
a healthier relationship to food.

 
Our global brands

Europe

International

Arla foods ingredients

Global Industry Sales

Contents

OUR  
BRANDS AND 
COMMERCIAL 
SEGMENTS

29 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our brands and commercial segments   /   Our global brands

Contents

OUR GLOBAL BRANDS 

Our strategic global brands are at the heart of our business and they drive the majority of Arla’s value creation. 
In 2021, our brands did  excellent, driving our overall branded volume growth to 4.5 per cent on top of the very 
high 2020 growth, and the branded share of our revenue to a record high of 49.3 per cent. We also gained market 
shares in key positions. All this while navigating the constantly evolving situation around Covid-19, fast-changing 
consumer trends and delivery challenges across the globe.

ARLA®

Arla® is our largest strategic brand based on revenue. It’s an umbrella brand with diverse successful 
sub-brands covering milk, yoghurt, cream, powder and cheese. Arla® is the market leader in dairy in 
Denmark and Sweden, and has leading positions across the sub-brands in Germany, the Netherlands 
and the UK. We are also present in the market outside Europe, with succesfull sub-brands such as Arla® 
Dano in Soth East Asia and Western Africa. The brand’s identity is built up around health and naturalness. 

Arla® performed strong across all markets
Our Arla brand performed well in a challenging year, drawing from, 
and supporting our sustainability agenda by popularizing and 
commercializing the results from our Climate Check programme, 
and coming forth with more planet friendly packaging for our 
organic milk in Denmark and the Lactofree range. The overall 
branded volume growth was 4.4 per cent. From a geographic 
point of view, the growth was driven by the UK, where Cravandale, 
Lactofree and our organic line all grew ahead of the market. 
Amongst the sub-brands, our Arla® Fill n’ Fuel products led the 
way, close to breaking EUR 100 million in revenue. In particular, 
Arla® Protein grew volumes exceptionally fast, by 32 per cent. Our 
repositioned Lactofree® products, did great, growing by 10.9 per 
cent in total. Arla® Dano in Bangladesh grew volumes by 18.8 per 
cent. The most important innovation of 2021 for Arla® was 
Creamy Skyr, a thicker, creamier version of the market favourite.

Strategic branded volume 
driven revenue growth 

4.4%

2020: 3.0%

Revenue (EURm)

3,359

2020: 3,116

30 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our brands and commercial segments   /   Our global brands

Contents

OUR GLOBAL BRANDS  / CONTiNUED

LURpAK®

Lurpak® is one of our oldest 
brand which just turned 120 
years old in 2021. It’s the 
leading butter and spreadable 
brand in Denmark, the UK, 
and MENA with constantly 
strengthening positions 
across all our key markets. 
Lurpak®, sold in 95 countries, 
is a key driver of our competi-
tive advantage against our 
peers

Strategic branded volume 
driven revenue growth 

0.5%

2020: 13.7%

Revenue (EURm)

646

2020: 628

pUCK®

Puck® is the number one 
spreadable cheese brand in 
MENA. Besides spreadable 
cheese, Puck® has also strong 
positions in other categories, 
such as shredded mozzarella 
and all purpose cream. The 
brand is focused on bringing 
mealtime joy and inspiration 
to families in the Middle East.

Another strong year for Puck® in MENA
Puck®, our loved dairy brand and household staple in MENA 
reached record market shares and became the number one 
spreadable cheese brand across the region. Puck® mamanged 
to maintain the exceptionally high volumes of 2020, which 
shows the brand's ability to adapt to the changing environ-
ment and connect with families in a meaningful way. However, 
Puck®'s revenue declined to EUR 382 million from EUR 403 
million last year, due to exchange rates effects. As a break-
through innovation, Puck® launched a range of sweet, 
milk-based ambient spreads bolstering the brand’s foothold 
outside the chilled dairy aisle. Another significant achievement 
has been consolidating production from several sites into our 
site in Bahrain for improved efficiency and speed to market.

Lurpak® gained market share
Our emblematic butter brand, Lurpak®, lived up to its now 
120-years old reputation in 2021 as well. We managed to 
further gain market share in our biggest markets the UK and 
Denmark. Overall, Lurpak®’s volume growth ended up at 0.5 
per cent year on year, due to the exceptionally high growth in 
2020, driven mostly by the trend of home cooking during 
Covid-19 lockdowns. Lurpak® came close to repeating the 
historical success of 2020 in Denmark and MENA, but lost 
volume in the UK, where the growth in 2020 was also the 
highest. One exemption from the overall trend was the 
Netherlands, where Lurpak® doubled volumes between 2019 
and 2021, due to significant new efforts in advertising the 
brand to Dutch consumers. Notably, Lurpak® experienced 
volume growth compared to 2019 across all markets.

Strategic branded volume 
driven revenue growth 

2.7%

2020: 9.9%

Revenue (EURm)

383

2020: 403

31 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our brands and commercial segments   /   Our global brands

Contents

OUR GLOBAL BRANDS  / CONTiNUED

Strategic branded volume 
driven revenue growth 

STARBUCKSTM

6.1%

2020: 3.5%

Revenue (EURm)

192

2020: 172

StarbucksTM's essence is to 
inspire and nurture the 
human spirit - one person and 
one cup at a time.
Arla has a long-term licence 
agreement to produce, 
market and sell StarbucksTM 
ready-to-drink products in 
Europe and MEA for over ten 
year now. StarbucksTM  is a key 
driver for growth in EMEA, 
with multiple market-leading 
positions.

StarbucksTM reached 250 million units sold
Our StarbucksTM  ready-to-drink coffee assortment, now 
available in 51 countries in the EMEA region delivered 33.8 per 
cent volume growth, reaching 250 million units sold, and 
gained more than 3 percentage points market share compared 
to 2020. The growth was largely driven by the improved 
distribution in nearly all markets, availability in additional 
channels, like convenience stores, and the brands success in
the UK, where StarbucksTM  reached EUR 117,5 million in retail 
value. Innovation is also key to StarbuckTM 's success, which was 
demonstrated this year by the successful launches of the Triple 
shot and the seasonal offers.

CASTELLO®

Castello® is our specialty 
cheese brand with a strong 
legacy of creating indulgent 
sensations, dating back to 
1893. Our strongest market 
positions are in Denmark and 
Sweden, where Castello® is a 
tradtional, yet constantly 
renewing cheese brand. 
Castello® also has a strong 
presence as a challanger brand 
in US, Australia and Canada. 

Castello® built on their excellent   
performance during the pandemic
In 2021, Castello® managed to build on the historic growth 
experienced in 2020 on the back of the home cooking trend, 
and achieved 6.1 per cent volume growth on top of that. 
Castello®’s recipe for success in 2021 was to get into recipes, 
to reposition specialty cheese from the cheeseboard to an 
exciting ingredient for cooking. Our new, digital marketing 
strategy focused on inspiring consumers through various
channels from online recipe collection to Instagram accounts 
to cook with Castello® cheeses. These campaigns engaged 
consumers and proved to be more efficient, and cheaper than 
previous ways of advertising. The US, Sweden and Denmark 
did exceptionally well, with 21.6, 8.3 and 8.8 per cent volume 
growth, respectively.

Strategic branded volume 
driven revenue growth 

33.8%

2020: 27.3%

32 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our brands and commercial segments   /   Europe

Contents

EUROpE 

Our European commercial zone gained market share and delivered overall strong branded volume growth of 
2.3 per cent in 2021, on top of the exceptionally strong growth of 5.7 per cent in 2020,  despite a challenging 
set of circumstances including significant disruption from Covid-19, consumers shifting from foodservice to 
retail and price increases due to inflation. All markets contributed to the growth. From a brand perspective, 
Starbucks™ at 33.7 per cent, Castello® at 1.7 per cent and the Arla® brand at 2.3 per cent were the key drivers. 
Foodservice also delivered branded growth of 7.8 per cent.

Our European business unit 

Key drivers of performance in 2021 

Our European commercial zone encompasses nine countries in 
Northern and Western Europe, and represents 59 per cent of  
the total Arla revenue. We are in mature markets, yet we are 
delivering market share gains and solid branded growth year on 
year, driven by strong brands such as Lurpak®, the Arla® brand 
and StarbucksTM.

The key drivers of branded volume growth were successful 
StarbuckTM’s launches of the Grande Cup and Triple Shot, the 
14.7 per cent growth of the Arla sub-brand Fill N’ Fuel driven by 
Cream Skyr, Protein yogurts, pouches & puddings, and Arla 
Lactofree® with 11.2 per cent growth. The key markets driving 
growth were NL/FR/BE, UK and Denmark with 8.4, 3.8 and 2.2 
per cent branded volume growth, respectively. Revenue in the 
e-commerce channel increased by 17 per cent. 

Our preparation to Brexit helped us navigate the new trading 
environment and we only experienced minor disruption, but 
were impacted by the shortage of truck drivers. 

Strategic branded volume 
driven revenue growth

Share of total  
Arla revenue

2.3%

2020: 5.9%

59%

2020: 60%

Focus points for 2022 

The volatility seen in 2021 is expected to continue into 2022. Inflation 
will continue to be a major factor in the market, likely making dairy 
products more expensive and slowing growth outlook for 2022. As we 
deliver the first year of our new global strategy, Future26, our focus will 
be on managing our market share through our brands across the 
Europe zone. Sustainability will be front and center with the Arla® brand 
leading the agenda driven by innovation and development of products 
that inspire consumers to live and eat sustainably. 

Revenue,  
EURm

Brand share  

6,621

2020: 6,413

55.5%

2020: 54.1%

Click here for more information about the 
performance in particular countries and regions.

33 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our brands and commercial segments   /   International

Contents

INTERNATiONAL

In 2021, our international zone delivered solid branded volume growth of 9.1 per cent despite the disruption 
of the Covid-19 pandemic and inflation pushing up prices towards the end of the year. Growth came from all 
six regions and was very balanced. We also managed to gain market share in key positions. As an important 
milestone for the zone, the production of processed cheese and milk based beverages, creams and sauces 
was consolidated at our Bahrain and Riyadh sites from sites across Denmark.

Our International business unit 

Our International commercial zone encompasses around 140 
countries on five continents, and represents 19 per cent of the 
total Arla revenue. In general, these are the regions where we 
experience the steepest volume growth. Our key brands in the 
zone include Puck®, Arla® Dano, Lurpak® , Castello® and 
StarbucksTM.

Key drivers of performance in 2021

In 2021, despite the constantly changing circumstances due 
to shifting Covid-19 restrictions across our markets, we 
increased market shares in key positions in our International 
zone. Puck® gained market share in the Middle East, and 
Arla® Dano did so in Bangladesh and Nigeria. All of our global 
brands contributed to the strong volume growth of 9.1 per 
cent, on top of the very high 2020 baseline (12 per cent): 
StarbucksTM with 34 per cent, Arla® with 12 per cent, 
Castello® with 9 per cent, and Puck® with 3  per cent. 
However, the weak USD and the rising inflation throughout 
the year put pressure on our margins in all regions.  A key 
achievement in 2021 was consolidating production from 
several sites into our site in Bahrain and Riyadh for improved 
efficiency and speed to market.

Focus points for 2022 

In 2022 we are going to focus on recovering price inflation, growing 
our key brands and building international infrastructure to execute 
our new strategy, Future26. As a part of infrastructure development, 
we are establishing an Arla farm in Nigeria to contribute to the 
ambition of producing more milk in the country.

Strategic branded volume 
driven revenue growth

Share of total  
Arla revenue

9.1%

2020: 11.6%

19%

2020: 19%

Revenue,  
EURm

Brand share  

2,101

2020: 1,975

86.6%

2020: 86.3%

Click here for more information about the 
performance in particular countries and regions.

34 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our brands and commercial segments   /   Arla foods ingredients

Contents

ARLA fOODS INGREDiENTS

In spite of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, AFI managed to grow their value-add ingredient business by 
14.5 per cent compared to 2020, primarily driven by strong demand for specialised ingredients across our key 
markets. Growth was supported by the conversion of additional raw materials, recently secured through new 
strategic sourcing arrangements, to value-add sales. Significant increases in raw material and energy prices 
challenged margins in our ingredients business.

Our ingredients business

Arla Foods Ingredients’ (AFI) mission is to discover and deliver all 
the wonders whey can bring to people’s lives. AFI is a global leader 
in whey-based ingredients and we bring unique protein and 
lactose solutions with added value to our customers. Our 
ingredients are used in a wide range of categories from infant, 
clinical and sports nutrition to dairy and bakery. In addition, we 
manufacture child nutrition products for third parties. AFI is a  
100 per cent owned subsidiary of Arla.

Key drivers of performance in 2021

AFI's performance was largely driven by their strong innova-
tions, such as the newly launched innovative ingredient,  
Beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), which has a unique nutritional profile 
targeted for muscle growth, and is produced using a patented 
new separation technology.  In the meantime, our Child 
Nutrition Manufacturing business performed slightly below 
2020 levels, following difficult market conditions in China. Our 
strategic outlook for this business remains positive. 

Growth of the  
value-add segment

14.5%

2020: 5.3%

Share of total  
Arla revenue

7%

2020: 7%

Revenue,  
EURm

794

2020: 716

Value-add  
share

74.0%

2020: 73.7%

Focus areas in 2022

In 2022, AFI will focus on the priorities outlined in the newly launched 
AFI strategy 2026, such as growing whey intake and implementing 
comprehensive sustainability programmes. The AFI Innovation Centre 
opened in 2021 will further support the innovation agenda by giving 
home to AFI's leading scientists, and bridging the gap between world 
class research, clinical trials and collaboration across the globe.

35 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Our brands and commercial segments   /   Global Industry Sales

Contents

GLOBAL INDUSTRy SALES

The flexibility of our Global Industry Sales business model enabled us to quickly shift milk volumes 
throughout the year as effects from the pandemic changed the demand between the retail and 
foodservice sectors. During 2021, we have succeeded in increasing the proportion of higher-value 
commodity products sold, and gained the highest possible value for our farmer owners from the 
increasing prices.

What is the segment about?

Focus in 2022

In addition to our main sales channels, Arla conducts  
business-to-business sales of cheese, milk powder and butter 
to other companies for use in their production. Our Global 
Industry Sales business model allows us to manage seasonal 
and regional variability in owner milk production and balance 
our milk throughout the year.

In 2022, our main focus will however be handling volatile 
market conditions we have seen developing towards the end of 
2021, with an unprecedented uptake in commodity prices and 
swings in milk production. 2022 will also bring a significant 
change to our business in Global Industry Sales with newly 
established capacities, especially in our powder tower in 
Pronsfeld and the expansion of our mozzarella facilities.

Revenue,  
EURm

1,686

2020: 1,540

Share of total  
Arla revenue

15%

2020: 14%

Share of milk solids  
sold through global  
industry sales

22.1%

2020:  22.7%

Key drivers of performance in 2021

European and global dairy commodity market prices increased 
significantly throughout the year, with an unprecedented 
acceleration towards the end of the year. The price increases 
were driven globally by lower milk production due to higher 
cost both on farm and in the dairies, combined with high 
demand in the industrial sector. The overall share of milk 
solids sold by our Global Industry Sales fell to 22.1 per cent 
compared to 22.7 per cent last year due to a decline in milk 
production in Northern Europe and an increase in the sales 
through Arla’s retail channels.  Despite the decrease in volume 
the revenue increased to EUR 1,686 million compared to 
EUR 1,540 million as a result of the price increases.

Market overview

Performance overview

Financial outlook

Contents

pERfORMANCE
REVIEw

 
37 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Performance Review 

Contents

pERfORMANCE REViEw

In a volatile year defined by Covid-19, fast economic 
rebound and inflationary pressure across value chains, 
we managed sales and operations with strong hands 
and delivered results above expectations on our most 
important performance indicators. The performance 
price increased to 39.7 EUR-cent/kg, up from 
36.5 EUR-cent/kg in 2020, driven by our ability 
to navigate the rising commodity market, firm 
underlying efficiencies and brand growth. Our brands 
achieved high branded volume growth of 4.5 per cent, 
on top of the extraordinarily high 2020 growth  
(7.7 per cent).

Torben Dahl Nyholm
CFO

38 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Performance Review   /   Market overview

Contents

MARKET OVERViEw

Highly volatile macroeconomic environment
As Covid-19 lockdowns were lifted in more and 
more countries and life returned to the ‘new 
normal’ during the first half of 2021, the global 
economy recovered fast from the steep decrease 
in 2020, keeping demand for dairy products high. 
However, new variants of Covid-19, labour and 
logistics challenges, weather-related issues along 
with other issues weighed on the global economic 
recovery and had a significant impact on the global 
dairy sector as well.

GDP growth was 5.6 per cent globally, the strongest 
post-recession pace in 80 years. Despite this 
year’s pickup, the level of global GDP in 2021 was 
3.2 per cent below pre-pandemic projections, 
and per capita GDP in many emerging market 
and developing economies remained below 
pre-Covid-19 peaks.

Global supply chains experienced several challenges 
during 2021, from energy and labour scarcity to 
problems with logistics. This, coupled with the 
increasing demand from the fast economic 
rebound, led to inflation quickly rising to very high 
levels in the second half of the year. Inflation, in 
turn, put further pressure on global supply chains 
as cost of production rose on all fronts, from energy 
and feed through ingredients and paper used for 
packaging, to fuel. While energy price increases hit 
the consumers in the second half of 2021, they 
have not felt the full effect of price increases on 
consumer goods much yet.

Changing consumer behaviour  
driven by Covid-19
During 2021, consumer behaviour was still 
significantly influenced by Covid-19, although to 
a lesser extent than last year. Overall, demand for 
dairy increased slightly in our key markets. Along 
with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, consumer 
trends normalised, which meant less in-home 
cooking and less stocking of groceries at home. 
This was accompanied by the slow revival of the 
foodservice sector as restaurants, cafes and canteens 
opened again, overall leading to re-balancing of 
demand between retail and foodservice.

Opposed to the volatile macro and commodity markets, 
foreign exchange levels were relatively stabile during 
2021 with average rates strengthening 3.3 and 3.2 per 
cent for GBP and SEK respectively. USD average rate 
weakened by 3.7 per cent compared to 2020.

Online grocery shopping was largely accelerated 
by Covid-19 in the past two years. At the peak, 15 
per cent of all grocery sales were online in certain 
European markets in 2021.

Slightly declining milk supply  
and significantly rising commodity prices
European milk production decreased slightly 
compared to the same period last year. Milk 
production generally decreased in big countries like 
Germany and France, and this was only partly offset 
by growth in small countries like Ireland. The supply 
flow was mostly stable, but high inflation in feed 
and energy prices as well as challenging weather 
conditions put pressure on milk production.

European and global dairy commodity markets 
quickly recovered from a decline in 2020. Similarly 
to other commodities, dairy prices increased 
steadily throughout the year, with an acceleration 
towards the end of the year. Farmgate milk prices 
followed the increase across the globe with a lag of 
a few months, however high feed, energy and fuel 
prices challenged profitability.

INfLATiON iN ELECTRiCiTy AND 
NATURAL GAS pRiCES (%)

CHANNELS SHOppED  
fOR GROCERiES (%)

EUROpEAN COMMODiTy MARKET pRiCES
Milk utilisation price equivalents, EURc/Kg

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Aug. 19

42%

Aug. 20

Aug. 21 

53%

57%

96%

91%

94%

89%

94%

88%

50

40

30

20

2019

2020

2021

0

20

40

60

80

100

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2020

2021

  Natural Gas 

  Electricity

Source: Kairos Commodities; Arla Procurement

  Supers/hypers 

  Online 

  Convenience

Source: IGD, Online shopper trends 2021

  Cheddar 
Source: GDT

  WMP 

  Gouda 

  Mozzarella

*:Source: OECD

  
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Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Performance Review   /   Performance overview

Contents

pERfORMANCE OVERViEw

Milk intake from our farmer owners decreased by 
1.0 per cent compared to last year. The decrease 
effected all member countries but the UK. We saw 
the largest decrease in our Central European 
region, where cold weather, flooding and increased 
feed prices put a pressure on milk production. Milk 
intake from other sources decreased by 8.4 per 
cent compared to last year. However, total milk 
intake remained virtually unchanged compared to 
last year at 13.6 billion kg.

Performance price
(EUR-cent/kg)

Standard pre-paid milk price
(EUR-cent/kg)

37.7

36.0

36.3

36.5

39.7

42

40

38

36

34

32

30

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2020

2021

Competitive pre-paid milk price  
throughout the year
Arla targets an annual net profit share in the range 
of 2.8 to 3.2 per cent of revenue, allowing us to 
actively balance the retained capital for future 
investments and provide a competitive supplemen-
tary payment  to our farmer owners. This also 
enabled us to pay out the largest possible share of 
our profit via the pre-paid milk price to our farmer
owners during the year. In 2021, we achieved a  
net profit of EUR 332 million, equalling 3.0 per cent 
of revenue.

Our excellent branded volume growth combined 
with our agility to promptly adapt to new price 
conditions with the main impact materialising in our 
industry sales segment resulted in a competitive 
milk price paid to our owners. The continued 
momentum to create efficiencies across our value 
chain also contributed to the milk price increases. 
We managed to increase the average standard 
pre-paid milk price to 37.0 EUR-cent/kg, which is 
an increase of 3.3 EUR-cent/kg compared to 2020. 
Our performance price was 39.7 EUR-cent/kg in 
2021, up from 36.5 EUR-cent/kg in 2020 (an 
increase of 8 per cent). This performance price 
positions Arla among the market leaders in Europe 
and supports our farmer owners, who also face 
increasing production costs on their farms.

OUR pERfORMANCE pRiCE 
pOSiTiONS ARLA AMONG THE 
MARKET LEADERS iN EUROpE AND 
SUppORTS OUR fARMER OwNERS

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Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Performance Review   /   Performance overview

Contents

pERfORMANCE OVERViEw / CONTiNUED 

Revenue increase driven by brands and prices
Outperforming our guidance, our total revenue 
amounted to EUR 11.2 billion compared to 
EUR 10.6 billion in 2020. In 2021, we saw a 
revenue increase from prices of EUR 432 million, 
and an increase from growing branded volumes of 
EUR 72 million, driven by the success of our brands 
to meet changing consumer needs. Exchange 
rates had a positive impact of EUR 54 million. 
See Note 1.1 for further information.

Brands successfully built on  
their exceptional 2020 performance
A key pillar of our strategy is improving the overall 
quality of our revenue by driving our brands to 
success and thus growing our branded volumes. 
In 2021, we delivered strategic branded volume 
driven revenue growth of 4.5 per cent, on top of 
the exceptionally strong 7.7 per cent growth in 

2020. This result shows the great adaptability of 
our brands. Our natural nutrition-rich products 
with their clear focus on sustainability, made our 
brands attractive to consumers in 2021, even as 
shopping and cooking habits started to return to 
pre-pandemic patterns.

Our biggest brand, Arla® performed above expecta-
tions with 4.4 per cent volume growth, driven by 
Lactofree®, Fill n’ Fuel and the Arla® Pro products 
sold by our food service segment. Lurpak®came 
close to repeating its historical success of 2020 by 
growing 0.5 per cent on top of last years exceptional 
growth. StarbucksTM grew volumes at an astonishing 
33.8 per cent, and Castello® at 6.1 per cent. 
Puck®also closed a successful year with 2.7 per cent 
volume growth.

Read more about our brands from page 28

BRANDED VOLUME 
DRiVEN REVENUE 
GROwTH

4.5%

2020: 7.7%

STRONG RESULTS DELiVERED By  
OUR COMMERCiAL UNiTS

Strategic branded volume driven 
revenue growth, Europe

Strategic branded volume driven 
revenue growth, International

2.3%

2020: 5.9%

Growth of value added  
products, AFI

14.5%

2020: 5.3%

9.1%

2020: 11.6%

Share of milk solids sold 
through global industry sales

22.1%

2020: 22.7%

• 

 Both our Europe and International commercial zones contributed to the solid performance 
of Arla with their strong branded volume growth of 2.3 and 9.1 per cent, respectively, and 
increased market shares in key positions. 
Read more in the report on page 32

• 

 Our ingredients business, Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI), further increased its value added 
share by 14.5 per cent.  

Read more in the report on page 34

• 

 Due to the increased sales through Arla’s retail channels, the overall share of milk solids 
sold by our Global Industry Sales fell to 22.1 per cent compared to 22.7 per cent last year. 

Read more in the report on page 35

 
 
41 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Performance Review   /   Performance overview

Contents

pERfORMANCE iN EUROpE

  Denmark

In Denmark, revenue remained stable compared to 
2020, with strong underlying branded volume 
growth of 2.2 per cent, increasing market shares and 
revenue of EUR 1,004 million. 2021 was a turbulent 
year impacted by both Covid-19 lockdowns and fast 
increasing inflation, which led to significant price 
increases. During 2021, Arla® re-launched Cultura® 
to strengthen our gut health focused proposition, 
asand extended the plant-based Jörd® assortment. 
The journey to become more sustainable continued. 
This included launching the three hearts symbol for 
good animal welfare on Arla® Organic, purchasing 
new climate-friendly distribution trucks and investing 
in more sustainable production. 

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth
2.2%
2020: 5.1%

  Sweden

During 2021, Arla Sweden grew revenue by 5 per 
cent to EUR 1,431 million, with growth primarily 
driven by a rebound in the foodservice channel as 
society opened up post-Covid. Market shares 
developed positively across all customers, 
categories and brands. Particularly, StarbucksTM, 
Castello® and Arla® Pro brands performed well. 
Overall branded volume growth was 0.8 per cent.  
In the latter part of 2021, commodity inflation led 
to significant price increases. In support of the 
sustainability agenda, we opened an innovation 
farm centre of excellence, Finngarne Gård.

  Germany

  Finland

Covid-19 continued to impact the Finnish business in 
2021, which meant that our total revenue in Finland 
declined slightly and landed at EUR 309 million, 
compared to EUR 315 million last year. Despite the 
challenging market environment including restrictions 
hitting the sizeable foodservice channel, we managed 
to offset some of the headwinds by winning new 
customers and growing branded volumes by 0.8 per 
cent. In the retail channel, our main brands such as 
Arla® Lempi delivered solid growth. Innovation is a 
continuous strong focus for the Finnish business and 
some of the succesful innovations in 2021 were the 
Arla® Protein puddings, Arla® Keso flavoured cottage 
cheese and Ingman quark. Sustainability is another key 
focus for our Finnish business. In 2021, we launched 
free-range grazing milk combined with an augmented 
reality experience.

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth
0.2%
2020: -7.3%

Our branded business delivered another year of growth 
in 2021, with volumes increasing by 1.7 per cent.  
The pandemic led to  slightly declining dairy  
consumption in retail after the lockdown was lifted, 
while the foodservice sector only partly recovered. As  
a result of this, revenue decreased slightly, to EUR 991 
million from EUR 1,024 million last year.  We landed 
strong innovations, for example Arla® Kærgarden Bio, 
successfully launched an Arla® master brand campaign 
and took clear market leadership on the StarbucksTM  
brand. Unprecedented inflation in the second half of 
the year resulted in a decline of milk production on 
farm. This triggered major price increases, in line with 
the market trend

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth
1.7%
2020: 7.1%

  The Netherlands,  

Belgium and France
In our cluster, the Netherlands, Belgium and France, 
2021 was yet another strong year with branded volume 
growth of 8.4 per cent, bringing the total revenue to 
EUR 360 million. We continued to build our core brands 
and delivered impressive double-digit growth for 
Lactofree, Arla® Skyr, Melkunie® Protein, Melkunie® 
Breaker, StarbucksTM and Lurpak®. The first climate 
neutral dairy products, Arla® Organic climate neutral, 
were introduced on the Dutch market in 2021 –  a next 
big step in our sustainability journey, which also put our 
brand in a stronger position by gaining market share.

  UK 

2021 was a year where our UK business navigated 
successfully through several external challenges to 
deliver much-needed returns for farmer owners.  
Despite the cumulative effects of driver and labour 
shortages, accelerating inflationary cost pressures 
dampening the performance somewhat, we managed 
to deliver overall branded growth of 3.8 per cent and 
revenue of EUR 2,526 million. In the first half of the 
year performance was under-pinned by continued 
heightened in-home consumption as a result of the 
extension of Covid-19 lockdown. We recorded strong 
branded volume growth, with notably Arla®, Lurpak® 
and StarbucksTM continuing to consolidate their 
market share positions. The latter half of 2021 
welcomed the reopening of foodservice, which 
achieved 18.8 per cent branded volume growth. We 
also finalized Climate Checks on our owner farms, 
which is a clear differentiator for the Arla® brand.

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth

0.8%
2020: 2.5%

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth

3.8%

2020:  13.1%

8.4%
2020: 9.8%

42 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Performance Review   /   Performance overview

Contents

pERfORMANCE iN INTERNATiONAL

Middle East and North Africa
On top of the unprecedented growth in 2020, driven 
by Covid-19 induced trends, we achieved 5.2 per 
cent volume growth in the Middle East and North 
Africa in 2021. However, revenue decreased to EUR 
734 million, from EUR 748 million last year due to 
exchange rates. The branded volume growth was 
driven by Iraq, Kuwait and our distributor sales, while 
political tension in the region caused difficulties in 
supplying products to certain markets. Our food-
service business also gained momentum after a 
challenging 2020, growing volumes at 44 per cent. 
Arla also continued to gain market shares in key 
markets, especially for Puck®, Kraft® and Starbucks™, 
proving our strong position in the market.

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth
5.2%
2020: 20.1%

North America
In North America, overall revenue increased by 7 
per cent to EUR 289 million and branded volume 
growth was up by 8.3 per cent in 2021. Despite 
significant price increases, Castello® grew volumes 
by a remarkable 8.3 per cent, driven by the US and 
Canada. The Arla® brand continued last year’s 
strong performance, this year with a volume growth 
of 10.3 per cent. Canada maintained solid growth, 
driven by local brand Tre Stelle, positively impacted 
by the continued home cooking trend. The North 
American branded share of sales went from 79.6 
per cent in 2020 to 82.3 per cent in 2021.

Rest of the world
Rest of the world, including Australia, Russia, our 
distributor sales and European subsidiaries, 
delivered volume driven growth of 8.5 per cent, and 
total revenue of EUR 508 million in 2021. Key 
drivers of the performance were Lurpak®, growing 
volumes by 8.8 per cent, and Starbucks™ growing 
volumes by 45.8 per cent. As Covid-19 restrictions 
eased, our foodservice business bounced back from 
the decline in 2020, however it has not yet reached 
pre-pandemic levels. All markets contributed to the 
growth, and particularly our European subsidiaries 
and our distributor sales experienced double-digit 
growth rates.

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth
8.5%
2020: 9.5%

West Africa
2021 was an exceptionally good year for West 
Africa, with 13.3 per cent branded volume growth 
and 14 per cent revenue growth. Growth was driven 
primarily by the Arla® Dano products, which gained 
significant market share in Nigeria, our main market 
in the region. Price increases more than offset the 
devaluation of the Nigerian currency. In the second 
half of the year, we signed a land lease agreement 
in Kaduna state in Nigeria and started the construc-
tion of an Arla farm. Senegal continued its positive 
development in 2021, with 27.8 branded 
volume growth. 

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth
13.3%
2020: -1.3%

South East Asia
Despite a turbulent year with lockdowns and economic 
challenges due to Covid-19, we grew our branded 
volumes by 27.1 per cent across South East Asia and 
achieved a significant profit improvement in 2021. Our 
growth was mainly driven by the strong performance 
of our Arla® Dano brand in Bangladesh, where we grew 
our volumes by an astonishing 20 per cent. In the 
Philippines we were able to further increase our market 
share and achieve 23.7 per cent branded volume 
growth with our strategic brands. Furthermore, our 
foodservice business across the region achieved 32 
per cent volume driven revenue growth. We reached 
total revenue of EUR 180 million for 2021, forming a 
solid basis for continuous growth in the coming years. 

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth

8.3%
2020: 7.6%

27.1%
2020: 9.3%

China
Our Chinese business performed well in 2021, 
with 12.4 per cent branded volume, and 24.3 per 
cent revenue growth, reaching EUR 235 million in 
revenue. Growth was primarily driven by milk sales. 
Through our partnership with Mengniu, cheese 
and butter export sales also grew significantly. 
We successfully launched Lurpak® sales in a 
popular members-only warehouse store, Sam's 
club. Our early-life nutrition segment performed on 
a par with last year.

Strategic branded volume driven revenue growth
12.4%
2020: 9.3%

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Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Performance Review   /   Performance overview

Contents

pERfORMANCE OVERViEw / CONTiNUED 

Foodservice and e-commerce had a good year
In the continued pandemic in 2021, with both 
re-openings and lockdowns in our key markets in 
Europe, our foodservice business captured the 
opportunities in the marketplace, gaining shares in 
most markets due to strong delivery, key account 
management and agility. 

Our European foodservice business delivered 7.8 
per cent branded volume growth, resulting in EUR 
38 million revenue growth in 2021. Half of the 
growth was delivered by our Arla® Pro brand.  From 
a geographical perspective, most of the growth was 
coming from the UK, Sweden and Denmark.

On the back of an exceptionally strong 2020, Arla 
e-commerce managed to grow revenue above 
expectations in 2021, by 17 per cent, despite the 
slowdown in the market. All six European core 
markets reported positive growth, with the UK 
contributing 65 per cent of total growth. To 
accelerate our e-commerce presence, we invested in 
digital tools and human resources. Our newly 
formed, specialised e-commerce acceleration team 
rolled out digital shelf analytics to measure, track and 
influence Arla’s performance on the digital shelf.

Net savings from the programme came under 
pressure in 2021 due to the unprecedented 
inflation with a EUR 221 million negative effect. 
However, with active pricing efforts we recovered 
some of the loss due to inflation.

With our new strategy, Future26, we also launched 
the next phase of our efficiency programme called 
Fund our Future in 2021. Fund our Future largely 
builds on the successes of Calcium, with the 
additional focus on net revenue management and 
end-to-end planning across our supply chain.

Carbon emissions on farm  
on a par with last year
In 2021, we continued to work towards lowering our 
C0₂e emissions throughout our supply chain. 
Compared to our baseline, 2015, scope 1 and scope 2 
emissions lowered by 25 per cent, which puts us well 
in progress to reach our science-based reduction 
target of 63 per cent by 2030. Our scope 3 C0₂e  
emissions were reduced by 7 per cent since 2015.

In total, C0₂e emissions increased to 19,783
million kg compared to 19,376 million kg last year. 
The development is explained by an increase in 
externally purchased whey in Arla Foods Ingredi-
ents and increased emissions related to expanding 
production capacity at our production site in 
Bahrain. These factors were partly offset by 
increased purchase of biogas certificates. 

Scope 3 emissions per kg milk and whey amounted 
to 1.21 kg, unchanged compared to last year. In 
2021, emissions specifically from Arla’s owners 
amounted to 1.15 kg CO₂e per kg of owner milk, on 
par with last year.

Read more about the progress towards 
our sustainability target in our ESG report.

Calcium concluded successfully
In 2018, we launched our four-year savings and 
efficiency programme Calcium in response to the 
volatility of fat and protein prices and the GBP 
falling due to Brexit. Calcium created operational 
efficiencies across the organisation and delivered 
underlying savings (excluding inflation) of EUR 634 
million over the past four years, surpassing our 
original expectations. In the past two years, we 

managed to deliver efficiencies at the same pace as 
during the first half of the programme, even though 
Covid-19 posed serious challenges to our supply 
chain and the continuity of our operations. In 2021, 
savings primarily came from optimised supply chain 
operations, in-sourcing of marketing activities and 
optimised trade investments. Moreover, Covid-19 
restrictions led to extra savings in indirect costs, as 
there were minimal travel and events in 2021.

CALCiUM SAViNGS
(EURm)

634

287

195

114

141

109

143

130

155

-66

2018

2019

2020

2021

  Calcium savings excluding estimated inflation 

  Calcium savings

Accumulated  
savings, 2021

44 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Performance Review   /   Performance overview

Contents

pERfORMANCE OVERViEw / CONTiNUED 

Strong financial position in 2021
Leverage measures our ability to generate profit 
compared to our net-interest bearing debt. Leverage is 
our most important indicator of our financial position 
and our long-term target range is 2.8-3.4. In 2021, 
leverage improved to 2.6 compared to 2.7 last year. 

pursue our vision to create the future of dairy. Arla 
does not hold a public rating; however, based on the 
market pricing of our bond issues and feedback from 
several external financial relations, Arla is considered 
a solid investment grade company and is committed 
to maintaining this status going forward.

Net interest-bearing debt, excluding pension 
liabilities, increased to EUR 2,221 million compared 
to EUR 2,180 million last year.

Cash flow from operating activities increased by  
6 per cent to EUR 780 million, compared to EUR 
731 million last year, mainly due to higher EBITDA.

Net working capital increased by EUR 131 million to 
EUR 810 million, representing an increase of 19.3 per 
cent compared to last year. The increase was due to 
deliberately reduced use of trade receivable finance 
programmes, higher prices and inventory values.

Arla’s overall financial position is strong and
provides us with flexibility to fund our strategy and 

Investments to enhance our new strategy
In 2021, our investments totalled EUR 566 million. 
The main focus of our investments was the 
execution of our key CAPEX projects. In Germany, 
the construction of a new powder tower in 
Pronsfeld proceeded well. In Bahrain, we extended 
our production site to encompass the entire 
production of Kraft® and Puck® products. In 
Denmark, we continued with the capacity increase 
of the mozzarella production at Branderup dairy as 
well as the construction of our new AFI Innovation 
Centre which opened in November 2021.

Apart from these large constructions we also 
invested significantly in improving and expanding 
our IT and digital assets and competencies.

Financial leverage development

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.4

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

45 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Performance Review   /   Financial outlook

Contents

fiNANCiAL OUTLOOK

Our outlook for 2022
We expect inflation and volatility in the market to 
continue to impact our business well into 2022. 
Changes in consumer behaviours will be multifaceted 
and difficult to predict. We expect to see a slow-
down in branded growth due to potential reduced 
buying power of consumers and normalisation of 
trends from Covid-19. Therefore, our guidance for 
branded volume growth is 0-2.5 per cent for 2022, 
with likely a slower start of the year. We expect 
revenue in the range of EUR 11.8-12.4 billion, the 
increase primarily driven by increased sales prices 
reflecting the historically high commodity prices.

Our new efficiency programme, Fund our Future is 
expected to deliver savings in the range of EUR 
70-100 million, driven by the successful initiatives 
started during Calcium, supported by the new 
digitalization and automation projects launched in 
Fund our Future . For leverage, we lower our 
outlook to 2.5 - 2.9, driven by an expected strong 
cash flow. We expect our scope 1 and 2 CO₂e 
emissions to lower further compared to our 2015 
baseline, despite production expansion in our new 
powder tower in Pronsfeld and in our international 
markets. Our scope 3 emissions per kg of milk and 
whey are also expected to reduce in 2022, however 
we acknowledge that sustainability projects on 
farm yield results with a time lag. These improve-
ments will ensure that our farmers remain amongst 
the world's most climate efficient, and move us 
forward to reaching our 2030 emission reduction 
targets of 63 per cent scope 1 and 2 and 30 per 
cent scope 3 per kg of milk and whey.

OUTLOOK 
2021*

ACHiEVEMENTS  
iN 2021

OUTLOOK  
fOR 2022

Strategic branded volume
driven revenue growth

3 - 4%

4.5%

0 - 2.5%

Revenue  
(EURb)

Profit share

10.6 - 11.0

11.2

11.8 - 12.4

2.8 - 3.2%

3.0%

2.8 - 3.2%

Calcium/Fund our Future 
(EURm)

> 150

Leverage

<-
   2.8 

CO₂e emissions scope 1+2  
vs. 2015

CO₂e emission scope 3 per kg 
milk and whey vs. 2015

155**

2.6

-25%

-7%

* As announced at H1 2021.
** Excluding inflation. Targets in our next efficiency programme Fund our future are defined  excluding inflation.

70 - 100

2.5 - 2.9

LOwER THAN 
LAST yEAR

LOwER THAN 
LAST yEAR

 
Governance Framework

Board of Directors

Executive management team

Management remuneration

Diversity and inclusion

Contents

GOVERNANCE 

47 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Governance   /   Governance framework

Contents

GOVERNANCE fRAMEwORK

Arla is a cooperative owned by 8,956 dairy 
farmers in seven countries. Ensuring that all of 
our owners are able to raise their voice and 
seek representation for their opinions is essential 
in a trustworthy and successful cooperative.  
To ensure this, Arla’s cooperative governance 
works on democratic principles. Every second 
year, our owners elect members to the Board of 
Representatives, which in turn elects the Board 
of Directors. The company’s governance is 
shared between these elected bodies and the 
Executive Management Team. The next election 
period is scheduled for spring 2022*. 

COOpERATiVE 
GOVERNANCE

OwNERS

LOCAL  
REpRESENTATiVES

OwNER NATiONALiTiES
8,956 dairy farmers

DK

SE

LUX

DE

BE

NL

UK

DiSTRiCTS

REGiONS

BOARD Of REpRESENTATiVES
175 owners + 12 employee representatives

77 DK members

50 SE members

23 CE members

25 UK members

OUR BOARD 
AND COUNCiLS

Area council

Area council

BOARD Of DIRECTORS
15 elected owners + 3 employee 
representatives + 2 external advisors

Area
council

Area council

CORpORATE 
GOVERNANCE

EXECUTiVE BOARD
CEO + COO

EXECUTiVE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Executive Board + 5 officers

20,617 EMpLOyEES

* The 2021 elections were postponed to 2022 due to Covid-19.

48 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Governance   /   Governance framework

Contents

GOVERNANCE fRAMEwORK / CONTiNUED

COOpERATiVE 
GOVERNANCE

The two main farmer owner representation and 
decision-making bodies of Arla are the 20-member 
Board of Directors (BoD) and the 187-member 
Board of Representatives (BoR). Their primary tasks 
are to develop the ownership base, safeguard the 
cooperative democracy, embed decisions and 
develop leadership competencies among farmer 
owners and set the overall strategic direction 
for Arla.

Owners
In 2021, 8,956  milk producers in Sweden, 
Denmark, Germany, the UK, Belgium, the 
Netherlands and Luxembourg were the joint 

owners of Arla. All cooperative owners have the 
opportunity to influence significant decisions. Last 
year, the cooperative had 9,406 joint owners. The 
decline in the number of farmers is partly due to 
farmers who stopped producing milk or sold their 
business to another member, and to a lesser extent 
due to farmers resigning to supply another dairy 
company. This decline is in line with the trend 
seen in the whole dairy sector over a number 
of years. 

Board of Representatives
The BoR is the supreme decision-making body 
of our cooperative governance comprising 
187 members, of whom 175 are cooperative 
owners and 12 are employee representatives. 
Owner representatives are elected every other 
year. The next election is scheduled for 2022*. 
The BoR makes decisions including appropriation 
of profit for the year and elects the BoD. The BoR 
meets at least twice a year.

District councils
Each year, cooperative owners convene for a local 
annual assembly in their respective countries to 
ensure their democratic influence on Arla’s 
decision-making. The members in the district 
elect members to represent their district on 
the BoR.

Board of Directors
Appointed by the BoR, the BoD is responsible 
for ensuring that Arla is managed in the best 
interest of the farmer owners. This responsibility 
involves strategic direction setting, monitoring 
the company’s activities and asset management, 
maintaining the accounts satisfactorily and 

appointing the Executive Board. They also 
take care of other stakeholders’ interests in the 
company: lenders, investors in bond instruments 
and employees, among others. The BoD consists 
of 15 elected farmer owners, three employee 
representatives and two external advisors. The 
composition of the elected members of the 
BoD reflects Arla’s ownership structure across 
the countries. 

Area councils
Arla has four area councils that are sub-committees 
of the BoD and consist of members of the BoD, as 
well as members of the BoR. The area councils are 
established in the four democratic areas: Sweden, 
Denmark, Central Europe and the UK to take care of 
matters of special interest to the farmer owners in 
each geographic area. 

* The 2021 elections were postponed to 2022 due to Covid-19.

CORpORATE 
GOVERNANCE

Corporate governance in Arla is shared between
the Executive Board and the Board of Directors
(BoD). Together they define and ensure adherence
to the company’s strategic direction, organise and
manage the company, supervise management and
ensure compliance.

Executive Board
The Executive Board, appointed by the BoD, 
is responsible for managing the company, 
ensuring the proper long-term growth, driving 
the strategic direction, following up on targets 
and defining company policies, while striving 
for a sustainable increase in company value. 
Furthermore, the Executive Board ensures 
appropriate risk management and risk controlling, 
as well as compliance with statutory regulations 
and internal guidelines. The Executive Board 
is usually comprised of the CEO and another 
member of the Executive Management Team, 

currently the Executive Vice President of our 
Europe segment.

Executive Management Team
The Executive Management Team (EMT) is 
appointed by the Executive Board. The EMT 
is responsible for Arla’s day-to-day business 
operations, preparing strategies and planning the 
future operating structure. The EMT consists of 
the Executive Board plus five functional experts 
and one commercial leader. The functional experts 
cover the management areas of Finance, IT and 
Legal (CFO), Marketing and Innovation (CMO), 

Agriculture, Sustainability and Communications, 
Human Resources (CHRO), and Supply Chain 
(CSO), while the commercial leader is responsible 
for our International commercial segment. The 
members of the EMT keep each other informed of 
all significant developments in their business areas 
and align on all cross-functional measures.

Employees
Arla has 20,617 full-time equivalents (FTE) globally, 
compared to 20,020 last year. Our employees are 
represented by three elected members on the BoD 
and 12 elected members on the BoR.

49 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Governance   /   Board of Directors

Contents

BOARD Of DiRECTORS

Our Board of Directors has a wealth of 
knowledge, consisting of 15 elected farmer 
owners, three employee representatives 
and two external advisors. In 2021 two 
Swedish farmer members, Heléne Gunnarson 
and Jan Erik Hansson resigned and handed 
over to Marita Wolf and Gustav Kämpe, also 
from Sweden. Manfred Graff was elected as  
the successor of Heléne Gunnarson as vice 
chairman. 

From left to right, starting from the first row: Walter Lausen, Steen Nørgaard Madsen, Manfred Graff, Jan Toft Nørgaard, Florence Rollet, Nana Bule, Marcel Goffinet, Inger-Lise Sjöström, Jonas Carlgren, Harry Shaw,  
Simon Simonsen, Jørn Kjær Madsen, Bjørn Jepsen, Johnny Rusell, René Lund Hansen, Ib Bjerglund Nielsen, Marita Wolf, Gustav Kämpe, Arthur Fearnall, Håkan Gillström

50 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Governance   /   Board of Directors

Contents

BOARD Of DiRECTORS / CONTiNUED

COMpETENCiES AND DiVERSiTy Of THE BOD
Despite their mostly similar background in agriculture and dairy, our Board of Directors  
(BoD) is equipped with a wide range of skills and expertise, which enables them to conduct 
first-class global governance. The competencies of the Board are evaluated every other year  
in a transparent process approved by the Board of Representatives. Based on the results of the 
evaluation, board members can enrol in different trainings to further strengthen their skillset.

Tenure

Gender

  0-3 years, 45%
  4-7 years, 15%
  8+ years, 40%

Male

87%

2020: 87%

Female

13%

2020: 13%

Member biographies

Jan Toft Nørgaard (1960) 
Member since: 1998  
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Chairman of the Board, 
Learning and Development Committee,  
Remuneration Committee
External positions: Comp. Board of the Danish 
Agriculture and Food Council 2009

Manfred Graff (1959) 
Member since: 2012 
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Vice Chairman of the Board, 
Chairman of the Arla Central Europe Area Council, 
Learning and Development Committee, 
Remuneration Committee
External positions: Member of the Board of 
German Milch NRW 2007, member of the Board of 
the German Federation of Cooperatives 2015

Nana Bule (1978) 
Member since: 2019 
Occupation: CEO of Microsoft Denmark and Iceland
External positions: Member of the Board of 
Energinet 2018, member of the Board of the 
Confederation of Danish Industry 2019

Jonas Carlgren (1968) 
Member since: 2011 
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Global Appeals Committee, 
Remuneration Committee
External positions: Chairman of the Board of the 
Swedish Dairy Association 2019, member of the 
Board of the Swedish Farmers’ Foundation for 
Agricultural Research 2016, Dairy Ambassador for 
the UN High-Level Political Forum

Arthur Fearnall (1963) 
Member since: 2018 
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Chairman of the Arla UK Area 
Council, Global Appeals Committee

Håkan Gillström (1953) 
Member since: 2015 
Occupation: Dairy worker
External positions: Member of the Swedish 
workers’ union

Marcel Goffinet (1988) 
Member since: 2019 
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Global Appeals Committee 
Preparatory Working Group
External positions: Chairman of the Board of 
Agra Ost Agriculture Research, Member of the 
municipal government of St.Vith, Member of the 
Bauernbund farmer association

51 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Governance   /   Board of Directors

Contents

BOARD Of DiRECTORS / CONTiNUED

René Lund Hansen (1967) 
Member since: 2019  
Occupation: Dairy farmer
External positions: Member of the cattle section 
and the Comp. Board of the Danish Agriculture and 
Food Council 2019, member of the Board of Agri 
Nord 2012

Inger-Lise Sjöström (1973) 
Member since: 2017 
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Chairman of the Arla Sweden 
Area Council,  Learning and Development Committee
External positions: Member of the Board of the 
Swedish Dairy Association 2017

Gustav Kämpe (1977) 
(BoD) Member since: 2021 
Occupation: Dairy farmer
External positions: Vice Chairman of Växa, 
member of the Board of the Swedish Dairy 
Association

Harry Shaw (1952) 
Member since: 2013 
Occupation: Despatch operator
External positions: Member of the British 
workers’ union

Simon Simonsen (1970) 
Member since: 2017 
Occupation: Dairy farmer, Valuation Consultant 
DLR Kredit A/S
Internal positions: Remuneration Committee
External positions: Dairy Ambassador for the 
UN High-Level Political Forum

Bjørn Jepsen (1963) 
Member since: 2011 
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Global Organic Committee 
External positions: Member of the cattle section 
of the Danish Agriculture and Food Council 2009, 
member of the Board of the Danish Cattle Levy 
Fund 2009, member of the Board of the Danish 
Milk Levy Fund 2019, Vice Chairman of Skjern Bank 
2012, Vice Chairman of the Danish Dairy Board 
2019

Walter Lausen (1959) 
Member since: 2019 
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Global Organic Committee

Jørn Kjær Madsen (1967) 
Member since: 2019  
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Global Appeals Committee
External positions: Member of the Board of 
Andelssmør A.M.B.A 2020, member of the Board of 
GLS-A 2018

Johnnie Russell (1950) 
Member since: 2012 
Occupation: Dairy farmer, chartered accountant
Internal positions: Learning and Development 
Committee, Remuneration Committee
External positions: Chairman of the ING Bank UK 
Pension Fund and two other entities

Marita Wolf (1959) 
(BoD) Member since: 2021 
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Chairman of the organic 
committee, Sweden
External positions: Member of the Board of the 
Swedish Dairy Association, part of the District Court 
of Linköpings Tingsrätt

Ib Bjerglund Nielsen (1968) 
Member since: 2013 
Occupation: Dairy production worker 
External positions: Member of the Danish 
workers’ union

Florence Rollet (1966) 
Member since: 2019 
Occupation: Senior advisor to Luxury Tech Funds 

Steen Nørgaard Madsen (1956) 
Member since: 2005
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Internal positions: Chairman of the Arla Denmark 
Area Council, Learning and Development 
Committee
External positions: Deputy Chairman of the 
Comp. Board of the Danish Agriculture and Food 
Council 2014, Chairman of the Agro Food Park 
Steering Committee 2016, Chairman of the Danish 
Milk Levy Fund 2012, Chairman of the Danish Dairy 
Board 2012

52 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Governance   /   Executive management team

Contents

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM

From left to right: David Boulanger, Simon Stevens, Torben Dahl Nyholm, Peder Tuborgh, Peter Giørtz-Carlsen, Ola Arvidsson, Hanne Søndergaard.

53 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Governance   /   Executive management team

Contents

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM / CONTiNUED

Our Executive Management Team consists of the CEO, four functional experts and one commercial leader  of the European and International commercial 
segments. The Executive Management Team is responsible for Arla’s day-to-day business operations and for developing Group strategies. 

David Boulanger (1970) 
CSO, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain
David joined Arla Foods in October 2020. He has 26 
years of experience in Supply Chain & Operations 
and held several senior leadership positions in the 
food industry within Mars, Mondelez & Danone in 
various geographies. Most recently, before joining 
Arla as Chief Supply Chain Officer, he was Senior 
Vice President Operations of Danone’s Specialized 
Nutrition Division, operating globally in the Early Life 
& Medical Nutrition fields. David holds an engineer-
ing degree from the Ecole Civil des Mines de Paris in 
France and a Master’s degree in Mathematics.

Simon Stevens (1965) 
Executive Vice President, International
Simon joined Arla in 2002 as UK Sales Director 
 before becoming Senior Vice President of Sales 
and Marketing, where he played a major role in 
the significant transformation of the UK business. 
In 2016, Simon moved to the newly setup Europe 
Zone as Senior Vice President of Commercial 
Operations and in 2020 he moved to Dubai to 
lead the MENA business. Prior to Arla, Simon 
worked 14 years for Unilever in various Sales and 
Marketing Director roles in the UK, the Netherlands 
and Italy. Simon holds a 1st class Bsc Hons degree 
in Manage ment Sciences from Loughborough 
University.
Simon is also:
- Member of the Board of Mengniu

Torben Dahl Nyholm (1981) 
CFO and Executive Vice President, Finance,  
Legal IT and Strategy
Torben joined Arla in 2012 after working several 
years in the M&A consultancy industry. Starting out 
in Arla as a Business Controller in Corporate 
Finance, he has subsequently held a number of 
significant project and leadership roles across the 
finance organisation focusing mainly on the 
interface between finance and strategy, latest as 
Head of Performance Management. Torben holds  
a M.Sc. in Finance and International Business from 
Aarhus University.

Peder Tuborgh (1963) 
CEO, member of the Executive Board,  
Head of Milk and Trading,  
Chairman of Arla Foods Ingredients
Peder has been with Arla for 34 years, formerly 
under MD Foods, and has held various senior 
management and executive positions, including 
Marketing Director, Divisional Director and 
Executive Group Director. Peder has worked in 
Germany, Saudi Arabia and Denmark as part of his 
longstanding career with Arla. Peder holds a 
Master’s degree in Economics and Business 
Administration from the University of Odense.
Peder is also:
- Member of the Global Dairy Platform

Peter Giørtz-Carlsen (1973) 
COO, Executive Vice President of Europe,  
member of the Executive Board
Peter joined Arla in 2003 as Vice President of 
Corporate Strategy and has held various senior 
positions in Arla, including Executive Vice President of 
Consumer DK and UK, before he became Executive 
Vice President of Europe in 2016. He holds a 
Master’s degree in Business Administration, 
Organisa tion and Management from the Aarhus 
University School of Business and Social Sciences.
Peter is also:
-  Board member in AIM, the European Brands 

Association

-  Member of the Policy and Issues Council (PIC) of 
the UK’s Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD)

-  Vice Chairman of the Board of the European Dairy 

Association (EDA)

- Member of the Board of the Toms group

Ola Arvidsson (1968) 
CHRO, Executive Vice President, HR
Ola joined Arla in 2006 as Corporate HR Director, 
and has been Chief HR Officer of Arla since 2007. 
He came to Arla from Unilever, where he held 
various director positions across Europe and the 
Nordics, with his last position as Vice President of 
HR. Prior to Unilever, Ola served as an Officer in the 
Royal Combat Engineering Corps in the Swedish 
Army. He holds a Master’s degree in HR Manage-
ment from Lund University.
Ola is also:
- Member of the Board of AP Pension
-  Central Board Member of the Confederation of 

Danish Industry

Hanne Søndergaard (1965) 
CASO, Executive Vice President, Agriculture, 
Sustainability & Communication
Hanne has been with Arla for 33 years, first joining 
under MD Foods and then moving to the UK where 
she played a leading role in developing the Arla UK 
business. She became Vice CEO of Arla UK before 
she in 2010 moved into a global marketing role as 
Senior Vice President of Brands and Categories. 
In 2016, she became CMO and Executive Vice 
President and joined Arla’s Executive Management 
Team. In January 2021, Hanne became Executive 
Vice President of Agriculture, Sustainability and 
Communication. Hanne holds business degrees 
from the Aarhus University School of Business and 
Social Sciences and Harvard Business School.
Hanne is also:
-  Member of the Board of Arla Fonden, of the 
Technical University of Denmark and of the 
Danish Climate Forest Foundation 
(Klimaskovfonden) established by the Ministry of 
Environment of Denmark

54 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Governance   /   Management remuneration

Contents

MANAGEMENT REMUNERATION

Arla’s executive remuneration guidance is designed to encourage high performance and support value creation.  
The guidelines ensures alignment with the Group’s strategic direction and the interests of our farmer owners. We have  
a structured approach to remuneration, ensuring that salaries are unbiased towards gender, nationality and age.

Remuneration governance 
Arla’s remuneration practice is governed by the 
remuneration guidance set by the Board of Directors 
(BoD) and reviewed regularly. The BoD is guided 
by the recommendations of the Remuneration 
Committee (RemCo), consisting of six board 
members, including the chairmanship. The RemCo 
works as a preparatory committee for the BoD as 
well as the Board of Representatives (BoR), with a 
special focus on the BoD, BoR and the Executive 
Board. It is also the Committee’s responsibility to 
ensure that the remuneration guidance, practices 
and incentive programmes support the strategy of 
Arla and create value for the owners by enabling 
Arla to attract and retain the best qualified elected 
representatives, executives, directors and key 
employees. The RemCo meets four times a year.

Our remuneration practices
Remuneration packages are constructed to ensure 
attraction, engagement and retention of the best 
senior managers, and at the same time should drive 
strong performance in both short-term and 
long-term business results. In line with Scandinavian 
practice, the majority of the remuneration is fixed. 
However, in recent years the variable part of the 
remuneration has increased to ensure that total 
remuneration is also dependent on achieving Arla’s 
short-term and long-term financial targets. All 

executives and members of senior management 
are employed on terms according to international 
standards, including adequate non-compete 
restrictions, as well as confidentiality and loyalty 
restrictions.

Our performance measures
Board of Directors (BoD)
The remuneration of the BoD comprises a fixed fee 
and is not incentive-based. We believe this ensures 
that the Board is primarily focused on the coopera-
tive’s long-term interests. Beyond a minimal travel 
per diem, no additional compensation is paid for 
meeting attendance or committee service. The 
BoD’s remuneration is assessed and adjusted on a 
bi-annual basis and approved by the BoR. The most 
recent adjustment made was in 2019. For more 
details on specific amounts, refer to page 113.

Executive Board and  
Executive Management Team (EMT)
The compensation elements and approach for the 
Executive Board and the Executive Management 
Team (together: executives) are identical.  
Remuneration paid to the Executive Board is 
assessed annually by the BoD based on recommen-
dations from RemCo. The EMT’s remuneration is set 
by the CEO. For more details on specific amount, go 
to page 113. 

* The ratio of elements displayed here is only illustrative, as the weight of the elements differs across members of the EMT.

The remuneration package for the executives is 
based on external benchmarks against European 
and international FMCG companies, providing a 
competitive and sustainable mix of fixed and variable 
pay. Pension contributions and non-monetary 
benefits such as company car, telephone etc. are 
also part of the package.

business targets. The variable pay component 
consists of an annual short-term incentive (STI) 
plan, and a long-term (three-year) incentive (LTI) 
plan. The STI is composed of the same elements for 
all executives. The main components of the LTI are 
branded volume growth, and the group’s perfor-
mance versus a peer group (see graphs). 

Levels of fixed remuneration are set based on 
individual experience, contribution and function, while 
variable pay reflects performance against annual 

SHORT-TERM COMpONENTS*

LONG-TERM COMpONENTS*

  Calcium/Fund our Future 
  Profit 

  Branded volume growth

  Leadership 

  Performance vs. peer group 
  Branded volume growth 

 
 
 
 
 
 
55 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Governance   /   Diversity and inclusion

Contents

DIVERSITy AND INCLUSION

In Arla, we believe that diversity and inclusion are imperative to the well-being of our colleagues and success 
of our business as we know that a diverse and inclusive workforce will enable our innovation capability, 
higher engagement and increased business results. Our definition is broad as we look at both gender,  
nationality, generation but also ethnicity, diversity of thought and inclusion. 

establishment of an internal discussion forum and 
interviews with internal role models. In 2021, we 
re-ignited the network and will further support and 
expand the network in 2022 and beyond.

Monitoring 
We are committed to reporting on our progress 
towards our long-term diversity and inclusion 
ambition and targets to our Executive Management 
Team and externally on a regular basis.

“ All colleagues, regardless 
of background, should feel 
that they can bring their 
authentic self to work and 

have a voice in Arla. ”

Our strategy
To secure a stronger leadership pipeline and improve 
opportunities for all to advance, we aim to build 
diverse and inclusive teams. All colleagues, regard-
less of background, culture, religion, gender etc., 
should feel that they can bring their authentic self to 
work and have a voice in Arla. In 2022, we will launch 
our new Diversity & Inclusion Strategy as an enabler 
to our Group Strategy, Future26. Our strategy will 
unfold our revised ambition towards ’26, new global 
targets and how to work with and reach them.

People development 
We will further build on our offerings with targeted 
training programmes to senior leaders, people 
managers and all colleagues regarding D&I 
awareness, unconscious bias and the like to further 
build and sustain an inclusive culture.

hiring process, the talent acquisition partners are 
there to ensure compliance with the recruitment 
process and policy. 

Fair pay
We strive to offer fair and competitive remuneration 
at market level and in line with local legislation, and 
have a structured approach to remuneration, 
ensuring that salaries are unbiased towards gender, 
age, seniority, tenure or nationality. 

Talent programmes
Our talents are identified, deployed and developed 
based on clear and inclusive definitions. We actively 
seek to ensure a healthy diversity in our talent 
identification when selecting candidates to create a 
diverse talent pipeline for the long-term perfor-
mance of Arla. 

Recruitment
Hiring managers and talent acquisition partners 
must adhere to the systems, structures and 
processes defined in our Global Recruitment Policy 
to select the best candidate based on merit. We 
require all leaders to be recruited from a diverse 
pool of candidates. To support a fair and unbiased 

Building and supporting our internal D&I 
community 
In 2017, we established a global community called 
‘the Diversity and Inclusion Network’ which is 
endorsed and supported by top management. 
This community offers a broad range of activities, 
including discussion panels with external speakers, 

56 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Governance   /   Diversity and inclusion

Contents

DIVERSITy AND INCLUSION / CONTiNUED

As part of our commitment to accelerating diversity and inclusion, we publish the demographics 
of our workforce by gender, age and nationality on an annual basis. Transparency is critical to 
achieving our goal of becoming an inclusive and diverse company. While we have made good 
progress in this direction, we know there is more work to do.

Gender distribution*

Gender distribution in management 

Total number of nationalities

Male

73%

2020: 73%  

Female

27%

2020: 27%

Male

Female

2021

2020

2021

2020

86%

80%

86%

73%

86%

80%

84%

74%

14%

20%

14%

27%

14%

20%

16%

26%

EMT

BoD**

BoR

Director+ level

* This is the gender ratio of the total workforce. Gender ratio in bluecollar 
workforce: female: 18%; male: 82%; and in white-collar workforce:
female: 41%; male: 59%.

**  The presented ratio pertains to all the members of the BoD (20), including employee 

representatives and external advisors. Gender ratio among members elected by the general 
assembly is 13% female, 87% male.

Age distribution 

Age distribution at director+ level

Diversity in teams, age*

27%

24%

23%

17%

44%

35%

9%

12%

9%

86%

  <30 

  30-39 

   40-49 

  50-59 

  >60

* Percentage of teams that have members 
from at least two age categories.

118

Split by nationalities

Nationality distribution 
at director+ level 

27%

8%

36%

14%

15%

17%

6%

9%

14%

Other 

54%

Diversity in teams, nationality* 

Nationalities in the EMT

34%

* Percentage of teams that have members of at least two nationalities.

Risk management

Risk overview

Our work with controls and compliance

Responsible tax management

Contents

RISK AND 
COMpLIANCE

58 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Risk and Compliance   /   Risk management

Contents

RiSK MANAGEMENT

As a cooperative with cross-country ownership and global activities, Arla faces multiple risks and uncertainties that may threaten our 
ability to pay a competitive milk price to our owners and deliver the aspirations of our new strategy, Future26. Steering through 2021 
with increasing demand from consumers for sustainably produced dairy products as well as upcoming climate-related regulations and 
requirements exemplifies why strong risk and compliance management is important.

Risk management
Arla’s risk and compliance management aims to 
effectively identify, assess and reduce risks and 
uncertainties, mitigate adverse internal and external 
impacts, capture business opportunities to maximise 
value creation, and to ensure a compliant business 
conduct. Our focus is on external risks that may 
threaten the realisation of our strategy, and we also 
address risks inherent in the business processes of 
the company.

The Board of Directors has the overall responsibility 
for overseeing risk and for maintaining robust risk 
and compliance management as well as an internal 
control system. The Board of Directors recognises 
the importance of identifying and actively monitor-
ing the most persistent risks, as well as long-term 
trends and challenges facing the Group. 

The most significant risks are regularly reviewed 
and assessed by the Executive Management Team 
and the Board of Directors, who are also responsible 
for reviewing the effectiveness of the risk and 
compliance management and internal control 
processes throughout the year. Generally, our 
risk and compliance activities are monitored and 
discussed quarterly by the Executive Management 
Team and annually by the Board of Directors. In 
2021, the Board of Directors, as part of the Future26 
strategy development, discussed opportunities 
and risks related to transformation of consumer 
behaviour, impact of EU environmental and climate 
regulations, and disruptive pace of change enabled 
by technology, such as e-commerce.  

Risk identification
We identify risks using several methods, including 
monitoring of regulatory developments, investiga-
tions upon alleged misconduct reports, compliance 
training, internal compliance reviews and process risk 
mapping, as well as CSR due diligence.

Key changes in Arla’s risk position  
in 2021
•   Major global trends largely continued from 2020, 

with accelerated uncertainty around the 
economic landscape.

•   Disruptive pace of change in consumer trends 
accelerated due to Covid-19. We responded to 
that challenge in our new strategy, Future 26, by 
defining how we are going to build our growth 
platforms.

•   The likelihood of the EU issuing stricter environ-

mental regulations  has increased. This risk is also 
addressed as part of our new strategy, Future26, 
embedded within ‘Lead sustainable diary’ pillar.

•   Risk of cyber crimes increased during 2021, 

therefore it was high on Arla's agenda. 

To read more about Future26 go to page 11.

TypES Of RiSK

We differentiate risks by their potential 
impact. Impact indicates the level of 
monetary and/or reputational loss. In this 
report, we focus on critical and major risks, 
but in our internal risk management we also 
track and mitigate risks below these 
materiality levels.

Major: Long term impairment of market 
position and/or national media coverage 
resulting in damage to brands/image and/
or monetary loss 10-50 EURm.

Critical: Permanent reduction of brand 
value and/or extensive international media 
coverage damaging the image of Arla and/
or monetary loss in excess of 50 EURm.

59 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Risk and Compliance   /   Risk overview - Critical risks

Contents

RiSK OVERViEw – CRiTiCAL RiSKS

Consumer trends

Impact
Constant transformation of consumer prefer-
ences is a given in the FMCG industry, but the 
fast pace and the volatility of these trends could 
significantly affect our sales. Currently two major 
trends shape the business: consumers are 
pushing for more sustainable products, and they 
are shopping for their groceries online more and 
more frequently

Mitigating actions
We continuously monitor consumer trends from 
shopping habits to flavour preferences, and 
cater for them whenever possible. As part of our 
our new Future26 strategy, we are developing 
more sustainable packaging and products, and 
working on significantly lowering our food waste. 
To capitalize the growing channel of online 
grocery shopping, in 2021, we continued to 
build on our partnerships across the grocery 
channel and invested in people and technology.

Climate-related regulations

Impact
As an agricultural business Arla is effected by 
climate from various perspectives. Changing 
weather patterns and forthcoming regulations 
and policies to mitigate climate change can 
both have a significant impact on our milk 
volumes and/or on our profitability. Particularly, 
the EU’s climate and Farm to Fork strategies 
could define emission reduction requirements 
that we can only comply with by reducing 
volumes or by imposing significant cost on the 
business, or our farmer owners.

Mitigating actions
We are closely following the EU’s climate and 
Farm to Fork strategy implementation and 
contribute with insights for constructive policy 
making. In anticipation of forthcoming emission 
reduction regulations, our new strategy, 
Future26 introduced ambitious climate targets 
to significantly lower our carbon footprint across 
our value chain. To achieve these targets we are 
working in close collaboration with our farmer 
owners, who in 2021 received detailed action 
plans for emission reduction, based on their 
current performance measured by our Climate 
Checks programme.

Information security and cyber attacks

Impact
We see a growing trend in crimeware targeting 
manufacturing companies, and also a sharp 
increase of attacks on our business partners, 
which keeps the risk of a major cyber-attack 
high. Such an attack could potentially damage 
our ability to manufacture, deliver and sell our 
products if critical supporting systems are 
disrupted.

Mitigating actions
In 2021, we continued to strengthen our 
processes around mitigating IT security 
vulnerabilities and deployed a broad framework 
of integrated tools, which gave us enhanced 
capabilities to identify threats and react 
promptly. We also observed significantly 
improved employee behaviour in cybersecurity 
awareness simulations and trainings. 

 
 
 
 
60 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Risk and Compliance   /   Risk overview - Major risks

Contents

RiSK OVERViEw – MAjOR RiSKS

Global political and economic volatility

Mitigating actions
With Arla’s broad international footprint and 
agile supply chain, we are set up to deal with the 
global political and economic volatility. To 
address the impacts of Covid-19 in particular, a 
dedicated crisis management team worked with 
various planning scenarios throughout 2021. 
This also enabled us to adapt quickly when 
inflation hit. From a supply chain perspective, 
accurate forecast was key. With regard to utilities 
and ingredients, hedging principles are part of 
planning to accommodate inflation.

Impact
In recent years there has been significant 
instability in the global economic and political 
landscape, with Covid-19 significantly increasing 
general volatility .As a global company, Arla is 
exposed to these trends and events as they 
affect demand for dairy, international trade 
relations, the movement of goods and services, 
and have severe effect on exchange rates and 
commodity prices. In 2021, the economic 
impacts of Covid-19 exacerbated uncertainty, 
while the unprecedented inflation partly caused 
by the fast economic rebound challenged our 
margins and put a strain on our owners. Labour 
shortages and other supply chain disruptions, 
and the swings in demand between retail and 
supply chain also posed challenges to Arla this 
year. These turmoils are likely to continue into 
2022 as well.

Quality, health and safety risks

Impact
We have a complex and long value chain, with 
thousands of employees producing a large 
variety of products. Ensuring that our products 
are safe to consume and are appropriately 
labelled, and keeping our employees safe and 
healthy are key to the success of Arla. Major 
product quality and/or food safety issues may 
lead to a loss of brand reputation and decreased 
trust in our products. Furthermore, downgrade 
of products may lead to financial losses. During 
the past two years the pandemic posed a risk to 
the health of our employees, and increased 
absence due to falling ill/the need to isolate 
challenged our ability to deliver products. 

Mitigating actions
Food safety and compliance with health and 
safety regulations is a top priority across our 
supply chain and commercial business. We are 
constantly improving our quality and food safety 
management programmes which are driven 
from a central QEHS department. In 2021 we 
focused on further implementation of the Arla 
QEHS Manual and Arla Food Safety Mandatory 
standards, as well as obtaining food safety 
certification from a third party. Regarding 
Covid-19, we conducted risk assessments at all 
offices and production locations and applied 
adequate measures, including social distancing, 
increased frequency of cleaning, possibility of 
working from home, limitation on travel, etc. to 
avoid spreading the virus.

 
61 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Risk and Compliance   /   Our work with controls and compliance

Contents

OUR wORK wiTH CONTROLS AND COMpLiANCE

To be a compliant company and prevent fraud is a key business priority for Arla. We are committed 
to acting with integrity, respect and in a transparent way, according to principles set in our Code of 
Conduct. We recognise that our reputation and success are dependent on the behaviour of our 
employees, thus we take violations of the Code of Conduct seriously. 

Policy Framework

We continuously work on improving our corporate 
policies to reflect local legislations and our values 
and commitments as stated in our Code of 
Conduct. Our policies govern general employee 
behaviour in key areas of good business conduct, 
guide us to act responsibly and with integrity, and 
govern our ways of working as one aligned and 
efficient Arla. 

aspires to adhere to, and to emphasize our 
commitment to a responsible use of data. As per 
the policy, when we decide to use data as part of 
our business, we are applying the guiding principles 
for data ethics focusing on: (a) Human dignity (b) 
Responsibility (c) Equality and fairness and (d) 
Progressiveness. The policy will be published in 
2022 with an awareness campaign and training of 
relevant employees.

In 2021, we published our Grievance Policy, as an 
integrated part of our new whistle-blower system. 
The system was updated and simplified in response 
to the new EU directive on the protection of 
persons who report breaches of Union law. 
Concerns now can be raised by reporting to 
relevant managers or through the whistle-blower 
system, where we offer anonymous reporting by 
applying strict principles of confidentiality and 
ensure that no retaliatory action will be taken 
against the person who reports the violation. 

Internal controls

We maintain a coherent system of internal controls, 
which are regularly assessed for effectiveness and 
adequacy.

In 2021, we progressed on our internal control 
framework and monitoring of our procedures to 
avoid negligence and misconduct across business 
processes. 

To comply with the new Danish regulations 
concerning corporate reporting, we also developed 
our Data Ethics Policy, involving several stakeholders 
from across the business. The policy aims to 
establish a high standards for data ethics that Arla 

In 2022, we will expand our control environment 
and reporting with climate related financial  
disclosures in line with our strategic focus on 
sustainability amd new external reporting 
requirements.

Investigations

Openness and trust are among our core values and 
incorporated into our Code of Conduct. If employees 
or our stakeholders believe that our Code of 
Conduct has been violated, we encourage them  
to report these violations. 

In 2021, we saw an insignificant increase in the 
number of reported fraud allegations compared to 
2020. None of the investigations resulted in 
material financial losses to the group, but they 
provided us with valuable knowledge about 
the state of our control environment. For 
more details on whistle-blower reports 
please refer to the sustainability report. 

Read more in our  
sustainability report.

Code  
of Conduct

Policies

Processes, procedures 
and standards

Guidelines and instructions

Go to our corporate website to read our Code of Conduct. 

Our governance framework

62 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Management Review   /   Responsible and transparent tax practices

Contents

RESpONSiBLE AND  
TRANSpARENT TAX pRACTiCES

In Arla, we acknowledge that tax is vital for the economic and social development. Conforming with 
our Code of Conduct and Good Growth identity, we are strongly committed to paying our taxes legally 
due and reporting transparently on our tax practices.

125 
EURm  
remained  
in Arla

Taking a responsible and transparent approach to 
tax matters supports the strategy of growing our 
company on a solid foundation and is in line with 
our commitment to the UN Sustainable Develop-
ment Goals (SDGs). Our tax payments contribute 
directly and indirectly to the majority of the SDGs, 
but in particular to SDG number 16 – development 
of effective, accountable and transparent institutions.

We are committed to paying taxes in the countries 
where we operate and generate value as well as 
ensuring that requirements on tax reporting and 
tax transparency are met. We strive for an open 
dialogue with tax authorities and the general public 
around the world regarding our business and our 
tax affairs. 

Our key tax principles
Our approach to tax matters conforms with Arla’s 
global Code of Conduct and is founded on a set of 
key tax principles approved by our Board of 
Directors:

•   Arla aims to report the right and proper amount 

of tax according to where value is created

•   Arla is committed to pay taxes legally due and to 
ensure compliance with legislative requirements 
in all jurisdictions in which the business operates 

•   Arla does not use tax havens to reduce the 

group’s tax liabilities

•   Arla will not set up tax structures intended for tax 
avoidance which have no commercial substance 
and do not meet the spirit of the law 

•   Arla is transparent about our approach to tax and 

Arla operates several subsidiaries globally. Our 
subsidiaries are primarily limited liability and private 
limited companies subject to regular corporate 
taxation. 

our tax position. 

•   Disclosures are made in accordance with relevant 
regulations and applicable reporting standards 
such as Interna tional Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS)

Transactions between Arla companies are 
determined and documented in accordance with 
OECD’s Transfer Pricing Guidelines to ensure we 
operate on market terms.

•   Arla builds on good relations with tax authorities 
and trusts that transparency, collaboration and 
proactiveness minimise the extent of disputes

In order to always adhere to our key tax principles, 
our global tax function is organised to ensure that 
we have the right policies, people, tax controls, and 
procedures in place to promote strong tax 
governance.

Cooperative and corporate tax
As a cooperative, Arla’s farmer owners are also our 
suppliers, and earnings are not accumulated in the 
company but paid to the farmers in the form of the 
highest possible milk price. Based in Denmark, Arla 
Foods amba is governed by the Danish tax rules for 
cooperatives paying income tax in Denmark based 
on the value of its equity.

Value generation 
In 2021, Arla generated a total value of approxi-
mately EUR 5.6 billion* from the milk supplied. Milk 
from our farmer owners generated EUR 5.0 billion 
in milk payments , while other farmers received milk 
payments of EUR 461 million leaving EUR 125 
million in Arla. As a result, the majority of the taxes 
are paid at farm level subject to local tax rules.

Moreover, the value generated by our activities 
further cascades into societies via various types of 
tax payments, both direct and indirect taxes that are 
either born or collected by the Arla group

It is our ambition to continuously increase 
transparency and reporting details on our total tax 
contributions in the countries and societies in 
which we operate and, in this respect, implement 
the EU Directive on public country-by-country 
reporting by 2024 at the latest.

8,956 farmers
20,617 employees
1.5 million cows

5.0

billion EUR paid to 
farmer owners

Our Farmers

Corporate taxes
Cooperative taxes
Customs and Duties
Personal taxes
VAT

Society

Primary Statements

Notes

Statement by the Board of Directors and the Executive Board

Independent auditor's report

Contents

CONSOLIDATED 
fINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

64 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Primary Statements

Contents

TABLE Of CONTENTS

pRiMARy STATEMENTS

NOTES

REpORTS

117    Statement by the Board of Directors  

and the Executive Board
118   Independent auditor's report

65 
Income statement
65  Comprehensive income
66  Profit appropriation
67  Balance sheet
68  Equity
71  Cash flow

73 

 Introduction to notes

74  Revenue and costs
74 
76 
78 
79 

 1.1 Revenue
 1.2 Operational costs
 1.3 Other operating income and costs
 1.4 Key performance indicators

80  Net working capital
80  2.1  Net working capital, other receivables  

and current liabilities

83  Capital employed
83 
86 
89 

  3.1 Intangible assets and goodwill
  3.2 Property, plant and equipment
  3.3 Associates and Joint ventures

91  Funding
91  4.1   Financial risks
98  4.2   Financial items
99  4.3 Net interest-bearing debt
104   4.4 Derivatives
105   4.5 Financial instruments
106  4.6 Sale and repurchase agreements
107   4.7 Pension liabilities

111  Other areas
111   5.1 Tax
112  5.2 Provisions
112    5.3  Fees to auditors appointed by  

the Board of Representatives
113  5.4   Management remuneration  

and transactions
113   5.5  Contractual commitments, 

contingent assets and liabilities

113   5.6  Events after the balance sheet date
114   5.7 General accounting policies
115   5.8 Group chart

65 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Primary Statements

Contents

INCOME STATEMENT

COMpREHENSiVE iNCOME

(EURm)

Revenue
Production costs
Gross profit

Sales and distribution costs
Administration costs
Other operating income
Other operating costs
Share of net profit/loss in joint ventures and associates
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)

Specification:
EBITDA 
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)

Financial income
Financial costs
Profit before tax

Tax
Profit for the year

Allocated as follows:
Owners of Arla Foods amba
Non-controlling interests
Total

Note

2021

2020 Develop-
ment, %

(EURm)

Profit for the year

Note

2021

2020

 346

352

Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement:
Remeasurements of defined benefit schemes
Tax on remeasurements of defined benefit schemes

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement:
Value adjustments of hedging instruments
Fair value adjustments of certain financial assets
Adjustments related to foreign currency translation
Tax on items that may be reclassified to the income statement
Other comprehensive income, net of tax

4.7

4.4

Total comprehensive income

Allocated as follows:
Owners of Arla Foods amba
Non-controlling interests
Total

-3 
10 

39 
-1 
127 
-1 
171 

5 
4 

41 
-3 
-84 
- 
-37 

517 

315

503 
14 
517 

308
7 
315

1.1
1.2

1.2
1.2
1.3
1.3
3.3

1.2

4.2
4.2

5.1

11,202 
-8,822 
2,380 

10,644
-8,301 
2,343

-1,573 
-427 
110 
-75
53 
468 

-1,483 
-439 
61
-52
28 
458

948 
-480 
468 

14 
-75 
407 

-61 
346 

332 
14 
346 

909
-451 
458

7 
-79 
386

-34
352

345
7
352

5
6
2

6
-3
80
44
89
2

4
6
2

100
-5
5

79
-2

-4
100
-2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
66 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Primary Statements

Contents

pROfiT AppROpRiATiON

(EURm)

2021

2020

Profit appropriation for 2021

Profit for the year
Non-controlling interests
Arla Foods amba's share of net profit for the year

Profit appropriation:
Supplementary payment for milk
Interest on contributed individual capital
Total supplementary payment

Transferred to equity:
Reserve for special purposes
Contributed individual capital
Total transferred to equity
Appropriated profit

346 
-14 
332 

203 
4 
207 

83 
42 
125 
332 

352
-7 
345

219 
4 
223 

81
41 
122
345

Performance price
39.7

EUR-cent/kg

Standard prepaid 
milk price
37.0 EUR-cent/kg

Retainment

Common capital (2/3)
Individual capital (1/3)

EUR-cent/kg

83 EURm
42 EURm
EURm

125

0.67
0.33

1.00

Profit for the year
332* EURm
  2.65 EUR-cent/kg

Supplementary payment

Supplementary payment
Interest on individual capital

203 EURm
4 EURm
EURm

207

1.62
0.03

1.65

*Based on profit allocated to owners of Arla Foods amba. 

   pROfiT AppROpRiATiON

The proposed supplementary payment for 2021 is 
EUR 207 million, including interest. This corresponds 
to 1.65 EUR-cent/kg of owner milk. Interest on 
the carrying value of contributed individual capital 
amounted to EUR 4 million. Contributed individual 
capital carried an interest of 1.50 per cent in 2021. 

In addition, EUR 125 million, equalling 1.00 EUR-cent/kg 
of owner milk, is transferred to equity and split into 1/3 
to individual capital (contributed individual capital), 
amounting to EUR 42 million, and 2/3 to common 
capital (reserve for special purposes), amounting to 
EUR 83 million. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
67 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Primary Statements

Contents

BALANCE SHEET

(EURm)

Note

2021

2020 Develop-
ment, %

(EURm)

Note

2021

2020 Develop-
ment, %

Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets and goodwill
Property, plant, equipment and right of use assets
Investments in associates and joint ventures
Deferred tax
Pension assets
Other non-current assets
Total non-current assets

Current assets
Inventory
Trade receivables
Derivatives
Other receivables
Securities
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets

Total assets

3.1
3.2
3.3
5.1
4.7

2.1
2.1
4.5
2.1
4.5

946 
3,072 
530 
21 
69 
30 
4,668 

1,248 
1,007 
74 
285 
434 
97 
3,145 

931 
2,915 
470 
29 
40 
28 
4,413 

1,080 
811 
57 
424
420 
126 
2,918

7,813 

7,331

2
5
13
-28
73
7
6

16
24
30
-33
3
-23
8

7

Equity and liabilities
Equity
Common capital 
Individual capital 
Other equity accounts
Proposed supplementary payment to owners
Equity attributable to the owners of Arla Foods amba
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Pension liabilities
Provisions
Deferred tax
Loans
Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities
Loans
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Derivatives
Other current liabilities
Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

2,062 
542 
46 
207 
2,857 
53 
2,910 

245 
24 
64
2,113 
2,446

628 
1,445
18 
86 
280
2,457

1,968
513
-118 
223 
2,586
53 
2,639

247 
21 
64
1,964 
2,296

695 
1,212 
25 
66 
398
2,396

4,903 

4,692

7,813 

7,331

5
6
-139
-7
10
0
10

-1
14
0
8
7

-10
19
-28
30
-30
3

4

7

4.7
5.2
5.1
4.3

4.3
2.1
5.2
4.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
68 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Primary Statements

Contents

EQUiTy

(EURm)

Equity at 1 January 2021
Supplementary payment for milk
Interest on contributed individual capital
Reserve for special purposes
Contributed individual capital
Non-controlling interests
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners
Transactions with non-controlling interests
Supplementary payment related to 2020
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Total transactions with owners
Equity at 31 December 2021

Equity at 1 January 2020
Supplementary payment for milk
Interest on contributed individual capital
Reserve for special purposes
Contributed individual capital
Non-controlling interests
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners
Transactions with non-controlling interests
Supplementary payment related to 2019
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Total transactions with owners
Equity at 31 December 2020

Common capital

Individual capital

Other equity accounts

t
n
e
m

j

t
s
u
d
a
e
u
a
v

l

t
n
u
o
c
c
a

l

a
t
i
p
a
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-
-
-
-
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-
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7
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-
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-
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2,447
219
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41
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53
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2,494
219
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41
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352
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315
-22
-18
-127
-3
-170
2,639

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
69 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Primary Statements

Contents

EQUiTy / CONTiNUED

Understanding equity
Equity accounts regulated by the Articles of Association 
can be split into three main categories: common 
capital, individual capital and other equity accounts. 
The characteristics of each account are explained below. 

Common capital
Common capital is by nature unallocated to individual 
members and consists of the capital account and the 
reserve for special purposes. The capital account 
represents a strong foundation for the cooperative's 
equity, as the non-impairment clause, described on 
page 70, ensures that the account cannot be used for 
payments to owners. The reserve for special purposes is 
an account that in extraordinary situations can be used 
to compensate owners for losses or impairments 
affecting the profit for appropriation. Amounts 
transferred from the annual profit appropriation to 
common capital are recognised in this account. 

Individual capital
Individual capital is capital allocated to each owner 
based on their delivered milk volume. Individual capital 
consists of contributed individual capital, delivery-based 
owner certificates and injected individual capital. 
Amounts registered to these accounts will, subject to 
approval by the Board of Representatives, be paid out 
when owners leave the cooperative. Amounts allocated 
to contributed individual capital as part of the annual 
profit appropriation are interest-bearing. The account 
for proposed supplementary payment that will be paid 
out following the approval of the annual report is also 
classified as individual capital. 

Other equity accounts
Other equity accounts include accounts prescribed 
by IFRS. These include reserves for value adjustments 
of hedging instruments, the reserve for fair value 
adjustments of certain financial assets and the reserve 
for foreign currency translation adjustments.

Non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests represent the share of group 
equity attributable to holders of non-controlling 
interests in group companies.

    EQUiTy SHARE 37 pER CENT 

During 2021 equity increased by EUR 271 million 
compared to last year and totalled EUR 2,910 million at 
31 December 2021. 

Transactions with farmer owners
A supplementary payment related to 2020 totalling 
EUR 227 million was paid out in March 2021. 
Additionally, EUR 20 million was paid out to owners 
resigning or retiring from the cooperative, while an 
amount of EUR 2 million was paid in. The Board of 
Directors proposed to pay EUR 207 million in March 
2022 as a supplementary payment including interest 
on individual capital instruments for 2021. Furthermore, 
it is expected that EUR 21 million will be paid out in 
2022 to owners resigning or retiring. 

Other equity adjustments
Other equity adjustments of EUR 170 million related to 
other comprehensive income of EUR 171 million, 
transactions with non-controlling interests of EUR -6 
million and foreign exchange rate adjustments of EUR 5 
million. Other comprehensive income included income 
and expenses as well as gains and losses that are 
excluded from the income statement and often not 
realised at the balance sheet date. The net income of 
EUR 171 million was due to positive value adjustments 
on net assets measured in foreign currencies, positive  
value adjustments on hedging instruments and 
remeasurement of pension assets and liabilities.  

The equity share of 37 per cent is calculated as equity 
excluding non-controlling interests at EUR 2,857 
million divided by total assets of EUR 7,813 million. 

Development in equity
(EURm)

3,000

2,900

2,800

2,700

2,600

2,500

2,400

2,300

2,200

2,100

2,000

346

-227

170

2,910

-18

2,639

Equity including non-controlling 
interests 1 January 2021

Profit for the year

Supplementary payment 
Other payments to farmer owners
related to 2020

Other equity adjustments

Equity including non-controlling 
interests 31 December 2021

70 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Primary Statements

Contents

EQUiTy / CONTiNUED

   Accounting policies and regulations according to Articles of Association and IFRS

Common capital
Recognised in the capital account are technical 
items such as actuarial gains or losses on defined 
benefit pension schemes, effects from disposals and 
acquisitions of non-controlling interests in subsidiaries 
and exchange rate differences in equity instruments 
issued to owners. Furthermore, the capital account is 
impacted by agreed contributions from new owners of 
the cooperative.

Recognised in the reserve for special purposes is the 
annual profit appropriation to common capital. It may, 
upon the Board of Director's proposal, be applied by the 
Board of Representatives for the full or partial offsetting 
of material extraordinary losses or impairment in 
accordance with article 20.1(iii) of the Articles of 
Association.

Individual capital
Individual capital instruments are regulated in article  
20 of the Articles of Association and the general  
membership terms.

Equity instruments issued as contributed individual 
capital relate to amounts transferred as part of the 
annual profit appropriation. The individual balances carry 
interest at CIBOR 12 months + 1.5 per cent that are 
approved and paid out together with the supplementary 
payment in connection with the annual profit 
appropriation.

Delivery-based owner certificates are equity instruments 
issued to the original Danish and Swedish owners. Issue 
of these instruments ceased in 2010.

Injected individual capital are equity instruments 
issued in connection with cooperative mergers and 
when new owners enter the cooperative.

Balances on delivery-based owner certificates and
injected individual capital instruments carry no interest.

Balances on contributed individual capital, delivery- based 
owner certificates and on injected individual capital 
can be paid out over three years upon termination of 
membership to Arla Foods amba in accordance with  
the Articles of Association, subject to the Board of 
Representatives' approval. Balances are denominated 
in the currency relevant to the country in which owners 
are registered. Foreign currency translation adjustments 
are calculated annually and the effect is transferred to 
the capital account.

Proposed supplementary payment to owners is  
recognised separately in equity until approved by the 
Board of Representatives.

Other equity accounts
Reserve for value adjustments of hedging instruments 
comprises the fair value adjustment of derivatives 
classified as and meeting the conditions for hedging of 
future cash flows where the hedged transaction has not 
yet been realised.

Reserve for fair value adjustments through OCI  
comprises the fair value adjustments of mortgage  
credit bonds classified as financial assets measured at 
fair value through other comprehensive income.

Reserve for foreign currency translation adjustments 
comprises foreign currency translation differences 
arising during the translation of the financial statements 
of foreign companies, including value adjustments 
relating to assets and liabilities that constitute part 
of the group's net investment and value adjustments 
relating to hedging transactions securing the group's 
net investment.

Non-impairment clause
Under the Articles of Association, no payment may be 
made by Arla Foods amba to owners that impairs the 
sum of the capital account and equity accounts 
prescribed by law and IFRS. The non-impairment clause 
is assessed on the basis of the most recent annual 
report presented under IFRS. Individual capital accounts 
and reserve for special purposes are not covered by the 
non-impairment clause.

Non-controlling interests
Subsidiaries are fully recognised in the consolidated 
financial statements. Non-controlling interests' share of 
the results for the year and of the equity in subsidiaries 
is recognised as part of the consolidated results and 
equity, respectively, but is listed separately.

On initial recognition, non-controlling interests are 
measured at either the fair value of the equity interest 
or the proportional share of the fair value of the 
acquired companies' identified assets, liabilities and 
contingent liabilities. The measurement of non-con-
trolling interests is selected on a transactional basis.

Milk payment to owners
The on-account settlement of owner milk is recognised 
as a production cost in the income statement.

The supplementary payment is based on the result for 
the year as part of the profit appropriation. The 
supplementary payment is recognised as a reserve on 
the equity statement until approved by the Board of 
Representatives, based on a recommendation by the 
Board of Directors.

 
71 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Primary Statements

Contents

CASH fLOw

(EURm)

Note

2021

2020

(EURm)

Note

2021

2020

EBITDA
Reversal of share of results in joint ventures and associates
Reversal of other operating items without cash impact
Change in net working capital
Change in other receivables and other current liabilities
Dividends received, joint ventures and associates
Interest paid
Interest received
Taxes paid
Cash flow from operating activities

Investment in intangible fixed assets
Investment in property, plant and equipment
Sale of property, plant and equipment
Operating investing activities

Acquisition of financial assets
Sale of financial assets
Sale of enterprises
Financial investing activities

3.3

2.1

5.1

3.1
3.2
3.2

948 
-53 
-80 
-90
103
24 
-45 
8 
-35 
780 

-45
-452
13
-484

-26
14
14
2

909 
-28 
53
4 
-137
8 
-53 
3 
-28 
731

-53 
-478 
19
-512

-5
22 
7 
24 

Cash flow from investing activities

-482

-488

Supplementary payment regarding the previous financial year
Transactions with owners
Transactions with non-controlling interests
New loans obtained
Other changes in loans
Payment of lease debt
Payment to pension plans
Cash flow from financing activities 

Net cash flow

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Exchange rate adjustment of cash funds
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

Free operating cash flow
Cash flow from operating activities
Operating investing activities
Free operating cash flow

Free cash flow
Cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow from investing activities
Free cash flow

4.3.c
4.3.c
4.3.c
4.3.c

-227
 -18
 -6
172
-147
-73
-31
-330

-32

126
3
97

-127 
-22 
-18
149
-173
-66 
-36 
-293

-50 

187 
-11 
126 

2021

2020

780
 -484
296

780
 -482
298

731
-512
219

731
-488 
243

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
72 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Primary Statements

Contents

CASH fLOw / CONTiNUED

    STRONG CASH fLOw fROM OpERATiNG ACTiViTiES TO SUppORT HiGH 
iNVESTMENTS 

Cash flow from operating activities increased by 6.7 per 
cent to EUR 780 million compared to EUR 731 million 
last year, mainly driven by higher EBITDA. Increased 
prices resulted in more cash tied up in net working 
capital; however, this was offset by settlement of 
deferred VAT payments and duty declarations from 
last year.

Cash flow from investing activities amounted to EUR 
-482 million compared to EUR -488 million last year. 
The overall investment level was consistent with last 
year due to continuously high CAPEX investments 
amounting to EUR 452 million, compared to EUR 478 
million last year.

Cash flow from financing activities was EUR -330 million 
compared to EUR -293 million last year, comprising 
transactions with owners and other financing activities. 
Transactions with owners comprised supplementary 
payments of EUR 227 million in relation to the 2020 
profit appropriation and further net payments of EUR 
18 million. The net cash flow from other financing 
activities was EUR -85 million, representing a green 
bond issue in Sweden, offset by movements in 
interest-bearing debt positions.

Combined cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 
2021 were EUR 97 million, compared to EUR 126 million 
last year. The movement was due to a net cash 
outflow of EUR 32 million during 2021 and exchange 
rate adjustments of cash funds of EUR 3 million. 
An insignificant amount of cash and cash equivalents 
at 31 December 2021 was deposited in restricted 
accounts.

   Accounting policies

The consolidated cash flow statement is presented 
according to the indirect method, with cash flow from 
operating activities determined by adjusting EBITDA for 
the effects of non-cash items such as undistributed 
results in joint ventures and associates, changes in 
working capital items and other non-cash items.

Development in cash flow
(EURm)

1,000

948

-90

800

600

400

200

0

-200

-78

780

-482

298

-245

-85

32

EBITDA

Cash flow from operating activities
Net working capital
Other payments and adjustment
with impact on operating  cash flow

Investing activities

Free cash flow
Supplementary payments 
Other financing activities
and leaving members

Reduction in cash

 
73 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

INTRODUCTiON TO NOTES

The following sections provide additional disclosures supplementing the primary financial statements.

NOTE 1
REVENUE AND COSTS
Details on the group's performance and 
profitability are disclosed in Note 1.

NOTE 2
NET wORKiNG CApiTAL
Details on the development and  
composition of inventory and trade 
balances against customers and  
vendors are disclosed in Note 2.

NOTE 3
CApiTAL EMpLOyED
Details on the production capacity, 
intangible assets and financial investments 
held by the group are disclosed in Note 3.

NOTE 4
fUNDiNG
Details on funding of the group's activities 
and the associated financial risks are 
disclosed in Note 4.

NOTE 5
OTHER AREAS
The general accounting policies, the group 
structure and other IFRS requirements are 
disclosed in Note 5.

Basis for preparation
The consolidated financial statements are based on the 
group's monthly reporting procedures. Group entities 
are required to report using standard accounting 
principles in accordance with the International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (IFRS).

In response to the Guidelines on Alternative Performance 
Measures (APMs) issued by the European Securities and 
Markets Authority (ESMA), we have provided additional 
information on the APMs used by the group. These 
APMs are deemed critical to understanding the financial 
performance and financial position of the group, in 
particular the performance price. As they are not 
defined by IFRS, they may not be directly comparable 
with other companies that use similar measures. 
Definitions are provided in the Glossary and Note 1.4. 

The group's general accounting principles are disclosed 
in Note 5.7, while accounting policies for the respective 
areas are explained in relation to the individual notes.

Currency exposure
The group's financial position is significantly exposed 
to currencies, both due to transactions conducted 
in currencies other than the EUR and due to the 
translation of financial reporting from entities not part 
of the Eurozone. The most significant exposure relates 
to financial reporting from entities operating in GBP 
and SEK, and to transactions relating to sales in USD or 
USD-related currencies. Refer to Note 4.1.2 for more 
details on how the exposure is managed.

Applying materiality 
Our focus is to present information that is considered of 
material importance to our stakeholders in a simple and 
structured way. Disclosures that are required by IFRS are 
included in the annual report, unless the information is 
considered of immaterial importance to the readers of 
the annual report.

Significant accounting  
estimates and assessments
Preparing the group's consolidated financial statements 
requires management to apply accounting estimates and 
judgements that affect the recognition and measurement 
of the group's assets, liabilities, income and expenses. 
The estimates and judgements are based on historical 
experience and other factors. By nature, these are 
associated with uncertainty and unpredictability which 
can have a significant effect on the amounts recognised 
in the consolidated financial statements. The most 
significant accounting estimates are addressed below.

Measurement of revenue and rebates
Revenue, net of rebates, is recognised when goods are 
transferred to customers. Estimates are applied when 
measuring the accruals for rebates and other sales 
incentives. The majority of rebates are calculated using 
terms agreed with the customer. For some customer 
relationships, the final settlement of the rebate depends 
on future volumes, prices and other incentives. 
Therefore there is an element of estimation and 
judgement in determining whether performance 
obligations are achieved. Estimates are based on 
historical experience and forecasted future sales.  
Refer to Note 1.1 for more details.

Valuation of goodwill
Estimates are applied in assessing the value in use of 
goodwill. Goodwill is not subject to amortisation but is 
tested annually for impairment. Assessing expected 
future cash flows and setting discount rates involves  
a level of estimation based on approved forecasts, 
strategic ambitions and market data. The majority of 
goodwill is allocated to activities in the UK. Refer to 
Note 3.1.1 for more details.

Influence assessment and classification  
of investments
The group holds an investment in COFCO Dairy 
Holdings Limited/Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, 
which is classified as an associate. The classification is 
based on an assessment of the level of influence 
through board representation. Refer to Note 3.3 for 
more details.

Valuation of inventory
Arla uses a standard cost model and estimates are 
applied when assessing the historical cost price of 
milk, utilities and other production-related costs. 
Furthermore, estimates are applied in assessing net 
realisable inventory values. Most significantly, this 
includes the assessment of expected future market 
prices and the quality of certain products within the 
cheese category, some of which need to mature for 
up to two years. Refer to Note 2.1 for more details.

Measurement of trade receivables
Allowance for doubtful trade receivable positions 
requires estimates. Losses on trade receivables 
recognised in the group are historically insignificant, 
which is also the case this year. 

Valuation of pension plans
Judgements are applied when setting actuarial 
assumptions such as the discount rate, expected future 
salary increases, inflation and mortality. The actuarial 
assumptions vary from country to country, based 
on national economic and social conditions. They 
are set using available market data and compared to 
benchmarks to ensure consistency on an annual basis 
and in compliance with best practice. For the UK the 
underlying pension liabilities are projected values for 
individuals covered by the schemes. The underlying 
values are updated on a triennial basis, most recently 
performed in 2019, reflecting changes in members' 
demographic data. Refer to Note 4.7 for more details.

74 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Revenue and costs
1.1 REVENUE

   REVENUE iNCREASE DRiVEN By pRiCES

Development in revenue
(EURm)

Revenue increased by 5.2 per cent to EUR 11,202 
million, compared to EUR 10,644 million last year.  
The increase reflects general price increases and more 
retail sales of branded volumes both in Europe and 
internationally. Volume growth in food service and 
commodity price increases in Global Industry Sales also 
contributed to the revenue development.

Strategic branded sales volumes grew by 4.5 per cent, 
compared to 7.7 per cent last year, driven by the Arla® 
brand and milk-based beverages and other supported 
brands. 

Europe is Arla's largest commercial segment, 
comprising 59.1 per cent of total revenue, compared to 
60.2 per cent last year. Revenue in Europe increased to 
EUR 6,621 million compared to EUR 6,413 last year. 
The increase was driven by higher prices and stable 
volumes. The strategic branded revenue in Europe grew 
by 5.8 per cent despite volatility in the market. Branded 
sales accounted for 55.3 per cent of revenue compared 
to 53.0 per cent last year.

The International segment accounted for 18.8 per cent 
of total revenue, compared to 18.6 per cent last year. 
The share of branded sales was 86.0 per cent in 
International, consistent with last year.

The revenue in International increased to EUR 2,101 
million, compared to EUR 1,975 million last year, driven 
by prices and generally increased volumes, partly offset 
by foreign exchange movements in the US dollar. 

Arla Foods Ingredients comprised 7.1 per cent of total 
revenue, compared to 6.7 per cent last year. Revenue 
increased to EUR 793 million compared to EUR 716 
million last year. The increase was due to sales of 
value-added products within the ingredients segment. 

Global Industry Sales and other segments represented 
15.0 per cent of total revenue and increased by 9.5 per 
cent to EUR 1,687 million compared to EUR 1,541 
million last year. The increase was due to increased 
commodity prices during the year.

Revenue was positively impacted by foreign exchange 
rate movements of EUR 54 million, primarily driven by 
SEK and GBP.

11,500

11,200

10,900

10,600

10,300

10,000

10,644

2020

432

72

54

11,202

Selling prices

Volume/mix

Currency

2021

Revenue split by commercial segment,  
2021

Revenue split by commercial segment,  
2020

11,202

MILLION EUR

10,644

MILLION EUR

  Europe 59% 
  International 19% 
  Arla Foods Ingredients 7% 
  Global Industry Sales and other sales 15%

  Europe 60% 
  International 19% 
  Arla Foods Ingredients 7% 
  Global Industry Sales and other sales 14%

75 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Revenue and costs
1.1 REVENUE

Table 1.1.a Revenue split by country
(EURm)

2021

2020

Share of revenue in 2021

   Accounting policies

   Uncertainties and estimates

Revenue, net of rebates, is recognised when goods are 
transferred to customers. Estimates are applied when 
measuring accruals for rebates and other sales 
incentives. The majority of rebates are calculated based 
on terms agreed with the customer. For some customer 
relationships, the final settlement of the rebate depends 
on future sales volumes and prices, as well as other 
incentives. Thus, there is an element of uncertainty in 
estimating the exact value. 

Since Arla's main line of business is the sale of  
fresh dairy products, returns of goods rarely occur  
and therefore do not require specific accounting 
disclosures. 

United Kingdom
Sweden
Germany
Denmark
Netherlands
China
Saudi Arabia
Finland
USA
UAE
Other*
Total

2,891
1,546
1,301
1,082
598
419
342
309
215
206
2,293
11,202 

2,740
1,478 
1,267
1,031 
526
368
352 
316
177
201
2,188
10,644

  26%

  14%

  12%

  10%

  5%
  4%
  3%
  3%
  2%
  2%

  19%

*Other countries include, among others, Belgium, Canada, Oman, Spain, Nigeria, France, Australia.

Table 1.1.a represents total revenue by country and includes all sales that occur in the countries, irrespective of 
organisational structure. Therefore, the figures cannot be compared to our commercial segment review on page 28 
to 35.

Table 1.1.b Revenue split by brand
(EURm)

Arla®
Lurpak®
Puck®
Castello®
Milk-based beverage brands
Other supported brands
Strategic branded revenue

AFI
Non-strategic brands and other
Total

2021

2020

3,359
646
383
192
293
599
5,472

3,116
638 
427 
177 
232 
566 
5,156

794
4,936
11,202

716 
4,772 
10,644

Revenue is recognised when a contract exists with  
a customer for the production and transfer of dairy 
products across various product categories and 
geographical regions. Revenue per commercial 
segment or market is based on the group's internal 
financial reporting practices.

Revenue is recognised in the income statement when  
a performance obligation is satisfied, at the price 
allocated to that performance obligation. This is defined 
as the point in time when control of the products has 
been transferred to the buyer, the amount of revenue 
can be measured reliably and collection is probable. 
The transfer of control to customers takes place 
according to trade agreement terms, i.e. the Incoterms, 
and can vary depending on the customer or specific 
trade.

Revenue comprises invoiced sales for the year less 
customer-specific payments, such as sales rebates, cash 
discounts, listing fees, promotions, VAT and duties. 
Contracts with customers can contain various types of 
discounts. Historical experience is used to estimate 
discounts, in order to correctly recognise revenue.

Furthermore, revenue is only recognised when it is 
highly probable that a material reversal in the amount 
of revenue will not occur. This is generally the case 
when control of the product is transferred to the 
customer, also taking into consideration the level of 
rebates.

The vast majority of all contracts have short payment 
terms with an average of 35 days. Therefore, an 
adjustment of the transaction price with regard to  
a financing component in the contracts with customers 
is not required.

 
76 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Revenue and costs
1.2 OpERATiONAL COSTS

      INfLATiON AND HiGHER COST Of RAw MiLK

Development in operational costs 
(EURm)

Operational costs were EUR 10,822 million, which 
is an increase of 5.9 per cent compared to last year. 
This development was mainly driven by higher milk 
costs, primarily to owners, and by inflation on other 
production and distribution-related costs, partly offset 
by Calcium savings.

Production costs increased by 6.3 per cent to EUR 8,822 
million from EUR 8,301 million last year. Excluding 
costs relating to raw milk, production costs increased 
to EUR 3,599 million from EUR 3,459 million last year. 
The increase related to a more expensive production 
mix meeting the demand for more branded products 
and the effect of inflation resulting in higher costs of 
utilities, such as electricity and other production-related 
materials. Excluding the effect from inflation, Calcium 
savings amounted to EUR 133 million in 2021. Refer to 
pages 16-17 for more details on Calcium initiatives.

Sales and distribution costs increased by 6.1 per cent 
to EUR 1,573 million compared to EUR 1,483 million 
last year. Driver shortages in the UK and increased 
fuel prices were the main reasons. Research and 
development costs amounted to EUR 89 million, 
compared to EUR 72 million last year. 

Administration costs decreased 2.7 per cent to EUR 
427 million compared to EUR 439 million last year due 
to cost control and non-recurring one-offs in 2020, 
partly offset by salary increases. 

Cost of raw milk
The cost of raw milk increased by 7.9 per cent to EUR 
5,223 million compared to EUR 4,842 million last year. 
The increase was driven by higher milk prices.

Owner milk
Costs related to owner milk increased by EUR 398 
million due to a higher average prepaid milk price.

Other milk
The cost of Other milk decreased by EUR 17 million 
due to lower volumes, partly offset by higher prices. 
Other milk consists of speciality milk and other contract 
milk acquired to meet local market demands.

Staff costs and FTE 
Staff costs increased by 1.1 per cent to EUR 1,360 million 
compared to EUR 1,345 million last year. Staff costs 
increased due to additional FTEs from insourcing 
activities and due to salary increases, partly offset by 
non-recurring items in 2020. 

The total number of FTEs increased to 20,617 
compared to 20,020 last year. Refer to the ESG section, 
Note 1.2, for further details on the FTE development.

Marketing spend 
The marketing spend was consistent with last year 
and amounted to EUR 238 million. Continued focus 
on efficiency improvements enabled by the Calcium 
transformation and efficiency programme, including 
insourcing and upscaling of "The Barn", our in-house 
content studio, allowed us to increase our marketing 
activities while keeping costs consistent with last year.

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment increased 
by 6.4 per cent to EUR 480 million compared to EUR 
451 million last year. The increase was primarily due 
to higher CAPEX investments, including the powder 
production capacity in Germany, cheese production 
facilities in Bahrain and an expansion of the mozzarella 
production facilities in Denmark.

260

-133

57

34

10,822

381

11,000

10,800

10,600

10,400

10,223

10,200

10,000

2020

Milk costs

Inflation

Currency

2021

Volume/mix and other 
Calcium, net of 
changes in operational costs
reinvestments

77 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Revenue and costs
1.2 OpERATiONAL COSTS

Table 1.2.a Operational costs split by function and type
(EURm)

Production costs
Sales and distribution costs
Administration costs
Total

Specification:
Weighed-in raw milk
Other production materials*
Staff costs
Transport costs
Marketing costs
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Other costs**
Total

*Other production materials include packaging, additives, consumables, variable energy and changes in inventory.
**Other costs mainly include maintenance, utilities and IT.

Costs split by type,  
2021

Costs split by type,  
2020

10,822

MILLION EUR

10,223

MILLION EUR

  Weighed-in raw milk 48% 
  Other production materials* 18% 
  Staff costs 13% 
  Transport costs 7%
  Marketing costs 2%
  Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 4%
  Other costs** 8%

  Weighed-in raw milk 47% 
  Other production materials* 18% 
  Staff costs 13% 
  Transport costs 6%
  Marketing costs 3%
  Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 5%
  Other costs** 8%

2021

2020

Table 1.2.b Weighed-in raw milk

2021

2020

8,822 
1,573 
427 
10,822 

8,301 
1,483 
439 
10,223 

Owner milk
Other milk
Total

5,223 
1,959 
1,360 
718 
238 
480 
844 
10,822 

4,842 
1,860 
1,345 
640 
248 
451 
837 
10,223 

Table 1.2.c Staff costs
(EURm)

Wages, salaries and remuneration 
Pensions - defined contribution plans 
Pensions - defined benefit plans 
Other social security costs
Total

Staff costs relate to: 
Production costs
Sales and distribution costs
Administration costs
Total

Mkg

12,518 
1,128 
13,646 

EURm

4,762 
461 
5,223 

Mkg

12,638 
1,231 
13,869 

EURm

4,364 
478 
4,842 

2021

2020

1,177 
83 
5 
95 
1,360 

756 
394 
210 
1,360 

1,166 
83 
4 
92 
1,345 

729 
383 
233 
1,345 

Average number of full-time employees

20,617 

20,020

Table 1.2.d Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
(EURm)

Intangible assets, amortisation and impairment
Property, plant and equipment and RoU assets, depreciation and impairment
Total

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment relate to: 
Production costs
Sales and distribution costs
Administration costs
Total

2021

2020

74 
406 
480 

329 
75 
76 
480 

70 
381 
451 

316 
80 
55 
451 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
78 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Revenue and costs
1.2 OpERATiONAL COSTS

Revenue and costs
1.3 OTHER OpERATiNG iNCOME AND COSTS

   Accounting policies

      pOSiTiVE HEDGiNG iMpACT

   Accounting policies

Production costs 
Production costs cover direct and indirect costs related 
to production, including volume movements in inventory 
and related inventory revaluation. Direct costs comprise 
purchase of milk from owners, inbound transport 
costs, packaging, additives, consumables, energy and 
variable salaries directly related to production. Indirect 
costs comprise other costs related to production 
of goods, including depreciation and impairment 
losses on production-related materials and other 
supply chain related costs. The purchase of milk from 
cooperative owners is recognised at prepaid prices for 
the accounting period and therefore does not include 
the supplementary payment, which is classified as 
distributions to owners and recognised directly in equity. 

Sales and distribution costs 
Costs relating to sales staff, the write-down of receivables, 
sponsorships, research and development, depreciation 
and impairment losses are recognised as sales and 
distribution costs. Sales and distribution costs also 
include marketing expenses relating to investment in the 
group's brands, such as the development of marketing 
campaigns, advertisement, exhibits, and others. 

Administration costs 
Administration costs relate to management and  
administration, including administrative staff, office 
premises and office costs, as well as depreciation  
and impairment.

Other operating income and costs, net, amounted to 
EUR 35 million, compared to EUR 9 million last year. 
This was primarily attributable to positive effects from 
energy commodity hedges, negative effects from 
currency hedges, sale of fixed assets and other items 
that were not part of the regular dairy business.

Other operating income and costs consist of items 
outside the regular course of dairy business activities, 
including items such as gains and losses relating to the 
settlement of disputes, revaluation gains from step 
acquisition of entities, the net result from financial 
hedging activities and the net result from the 
production and sale of energy from our biogas plants. 
Furthermore, this item includes gains and losses from 
the disposal of fixed assets no longer used within our 
dairy operations.

Table 1.3 Other operating income and costs
(EURm)

Sale of electricity
Income from hedging instruments transferred from equity
Gain on disposal of intangible assets and PP&E
Other items
Other operating income

Cost related to sale of electricity
Cost of hedging instruments transferred from equity
Other items
Other operating costs

2021

2020

28
36
17
29
110

-24
-38
-13
-75

24 
14 
15 
8 
61 

-29
-12
-11
-52

79 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Revenue and costs
1.4 KEy pERfORMANCE iNDiCATORS

The alternative performance measures disclosed below are key performance indicators for the group.  
They are not IFRS requirements.

1.4.1 Performance price

      fiNANCiAL COMMENTS

Arla's performance price is a key measure of the overall 
performance, expressing the value added to each kg of 
milk supplied by our farmer owners. The performance 
price is calculated as the standardised prepaid milk price 
included in production costs, plus Arla Foods amba's 

share of profit attributable to farmer owners, divided by 
the weighed-in milk volume in 2021. The performance 
price was 39.7 EUR-cent/kg owner milk, compared to 
36.5 EUR-cent/kg owner milk last year.

Table 1.4.1 Performance price

2021

2020

EURm

Mkg EUR-cent/
kg

EURm

Mkg EUR-cent/
kg

Table 1.4.2 Strategic branded volume-driven revenue growth
(EURm)

Strategic branded revenue last year
Strategic branded volume-driven revenue growth
Price and exchange rate adjustments
Strategic branded revenue

Strategic branded volume-driven revenue growth, %

2021

2020

5,156
230
86
5,472

4,867
378
-89
5,156

4.5%

7.7%

Strategic branded VDRG is calculated as the volume growth of EUR 230 million divided by EUR 5,156 million and equals 
4.5 per cent in 2021.

Owner milk
Adjustment to standard milk  
(4.2% fat, 3.4% protein)
Arla Foods amba's share of profit  
for the year
Total

4,762 

12,518* 

38.0 

4,364 

12,638*

332

12,518

-1.0 

2.7 
39.7 

345

12,638

34.5

-0.7

2.7
36.5

*The milk conversion factor from litre into kg was 1.02 for milk volumes until 30 June 2021. Effective from 1 July 2021, 
the milk conversion factor is 1.03. Historical figures were restated throughout the report according to the new 
conversion factor, thereby also restating the performance price for last year.

Note 1.4.3 Profit share

      fiNANCiAL COMMENTS

The profit share of Arla is targeted at 2.8-3.2 per cent of 
revenue, calculated from the profit attributable to our 
farmer owners. 

For 2021, the profit attributable to our farmer owners 
amounted to EUR 332 million compared to EUR 345 

million last year. This corresponded to 3.0 per cent of 
revenue, or 2.7 EUR-cent per kilo of milk delivered, and was 
distributed to the supplementary payment and retainment 
as disclosed in the statement of profit appropriation. 

1.4.2 Strategic branded volume-driven revenue growth

      fiNANCiAL COMMENTS

Volume-driven revenue growth (VDRG) is defined as 
revenue growth that is derived from growth in volumes 
keeping prices constant. 

VDRG of strategic brands is a performance measure 
applied to support and understand the non-price 
revenue growth and performance of our branded 
business. 

Strategic branded VDRG increased by 4.5 per cent 
in 2021 on top of the significant increase last year 
of 7.7 per cent. Continued high demand for branded 
products in the retail business was the main driver of 
the increase.

Table 1.4.3 Profit share
(EURm)

Revenue
Profit for the year
Profit relating to non-controlling interests
Profit attributable to farmer owners
Profit share

2021

2020

11,202
346
-14
332
3.0%

10,644
352
-7
345
3.2%

Profit share is calculated as EUR 332 million divided by EUR 11.202 million and equals 3.0 per cent in 2021.

 
 
 
 
 
 
80 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Net working capital
2.1 NET wORKiNG CApiTAL, OTHER RECEiVABLES AND CURRENT LiABiLiTiES

      NET wORKiNG CApiTAL pOSiTiON DRiVEN By HiGHER pRiCES  
AND iNVENTORy VOLUMES

Net working capital increased by EUR 131 million to 
EUR 810 million, representing an increase of 19.3 per 
cent compared to last year. This increase was due to 
deliberately reduced use of trade receivable finance 
programmes, higher prices and inventory values. 
We continuously strive to optimise our net working 
capital positions through initiatives such as increased 
use of global procurement agreements, optimisation of 
inventory levels, improved payment terms, as well as 
utilisation of finance programmes with customers and 
suppliers when relevant.

Inventory
Inventory increased by EUR 168 million to EUR 1,248 
million, compared to EUR 1,080 million last year. The 
increase, corresponding to 15.6 per cent, was primarily 
driven by higher milk prices. Excluding currency effects, 
the carrying amount of inventory increased by EUR 132 
million.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables increased by EUR 196 million to EUR 
1,007 million, compared to EUR 811 million last year. 
Excluding currency effects, the carrying amount of trade 
receivables increased by EUR 172 million. This was 
driven mainly by increased selling prices and reduced 
utilisation of trade receivables finance programmes. The 
group utilised these programmes to manage liquidity 
and reduce credit risk on trade receivables. 

Managing credit risk exposure on trade receivables is 
guided by group-wide policies. Credit limits are set 
based on the customer's financial position and current 
market conditions. The customer portfolio is diversified 
in terms of geography, industry sector and customer 
size. In 2021, the group was not extraordinarily exposed 
to credit risk related to significant individual customers, 
but to the general credit risk in the retail sector. Read 
more about credit risk in Note 4.1.5. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic and onwards, we 
have carefully monitored the development in trade 
receivables. We have not experienced any significant 
adverse developments in overdues, and the provision 
for expected losses increased by EUR 1 million to a level 
of EUR 15 million at 31 December 2021.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables increased by EUR 233 million 
to EUR 1,445 million, compared to EUR 1,212 million 
last year. Excluding currency effects, the carrying 
amount of trade and other payables increased by EUR 
192 million. Continued utilisation of global contracts, 
focus on payment terms and use of supply chain 
finance programmes were the main reasons for the 
development.

A number of Arla's strategic suppliers participate in 
supply chain finance programmes, where the supply 
chain finance provider and related financial institutions 
act as a funding partner. When suppliers participate in 
these programmes, the supplier has the option, at their 
own discretion and flexibility, to receive early payment 
from the funding partner based on invoices sent to Arla. 
This is conditioned by Arla's recognition and approval of 
received goods or services and an irrevocable 
acceptance to pay the invoice at the due date via the 
funding partner. The arrangement of early payment is 
an exclusive transaction between the supplier and the 
supply chain finance provider. 

Supply chain finance programmes are applied on EUR 
221 million of the total trade and other payables 
position, compared to EUR 183 million last year.

Extended payment terms are not embedded in the 
programmes themselves but agreed with vendors 
directly. The liquidity risk for Arla on termination of the 
programmes is limited. The payment terms for suppliers 

participating in the programmes are no more than 180 
days. Increased utilisation of supply chain finance 
programmes had a positive impact on the net working 
capital level compared to last year. 

Other receivables and other current liabilities 
Other receivables decreased by EUR 139 million to EUR 
285 million compared to EUR 424 million last year, mainly 

driven by postponed VAT claims from last year. Other 
current liabilities decreased by EUR 118 million to EUR 
280 million, compared to EUR 398 million last year. This 
was due to the settlement of employee income tax 
payments from last year and settlement of holiday 
accruals.

Development in net working capital
(EURm)

1,200

1,100

1,000

900

800

700

600

170

-192

132

-24

45

810

679

1 January 2021

Inventory

Trade receivables

Trade and other payables 
excluding owner milk

Owner milk

Currency

31 December 2021

81 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Net working capital
2.1 NET wORKiNG CApiTAL, OTHER RECEiVABLES AND CURRENT LiABiLiTiES

Net working capital 
(EURm)

1,175

970

1,103

894

1,000

823

1,500

1,000

500

0

2017

2018

2019

  Net working capital excluding payables related to owner milk 

  Net working capital

867

679

2020

1,022

810

2021

Table 2.1.b Inventory
(EURm)

Inventory before write-downs
Write-downs
Total inventory

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress
Finished goods and goods for resale
Total inventory

Table 2.1.c Trade receivables
(EURm)

Trade receivables before provision for expected losses
Provision for expected losses
Total trade receivables

Cash flow

Included in 
operating 
cash flow

1 January

Non-cash changes

Write-
downs

Currency

Reclassi-
fications

31 
December 

Table 2.1.d Trade receivables' age profile
(EURm)

2021

2020

1,269 
-21 
1,248 

274 
382 
592 
1,248 

1,119
-39
1,080 

265
319
496
1,080 

2021

2020

1,022 
-15 
1,007 

825 
-14 
811 

2021

2020

Gross 
carrying 
amount

Expected 
loss rate

Gross 
carrying 
amount

Expected 
loss rate

1,080 
811 

-1,212 
679 

1,092 
889 

-1,158 
823 

135 
171 

-216
90

113 
-51 

-66 
-4 

-3 
-1

-
-4

-23 
1 

-
-22 

36
26

-17
45

-44
-24 

11 
-57

-
-

- 
- 

-58
-4 

1 
-61

1,248 
1,007 

-1,445
810

1,080 
811 

-1,212 
679 

Not overdue
Overdue by less than 30 days
Overdue by between 30 and 89 days
Overdue by more than 90 days
Total trade receivables before provision for expected losses

837
119
38
28
1,022

0%
0%
3%
50%

682
93
26
24
825

0%
0%
4%
54%

Historically, experienced loss rates on balances not overdue or overdue by less than 30 days are below 1 per cent.

Table 2.1.a Net working capital
(EURm)

2021
Inventory
Trade receivables
Trade and  
other payables
Total net working capital

2020
Inventory
Trade receivables
Trade and  
other payables
Total net working capital

 
 
 
82 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Net working capital
2.1 NET wORKiNG CApiTAL, OTHER RECEiVABLES AND CURRENT LiABiLiTiES

   Accounting policies

  Uncertainties and estimates 

Inventory
Inventories are measured at the lower of cost or net 
realisable value, calculated on a first-in, first-out basis. 
The net realisable value is established taking into 
account inventory marketability and an estimate of the 
selling price, less completion costs and costs incurred 
to execute the sale.

The cost of raw materials, consumables and commercial 
goods includes the purchase price plus delivery costs. 
The prepaid milk price to Arla's owners is used as the 
purchase price for owner milk.

The cost of work in progress and manufactured goods 
also includes an appropriate share of production 
overheads, including depreciation, based on the normal 
operating capacity of the production facilities.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are recognised at the invoiced 
amount less expected losses in accordance with  
the simplified approach for amounts considered  

irrecoverable (amortised cost). Expected losses are 
measured as the difference between the carrying 
amount and the present value of anticipated cash flows.

Expected losses are assessed for major individual 
receivables or in groups at portfolio level, based on the 
receivables' age and maturity profile as well as historical 
records of losses. Calculated expected losses are 
adjusted for specific significant negative developments 
in geographical areas.

Trade and other payables
Trade payables are measured at amortised cost,  
which usually corresponds to the invoiced amounts.

Other receivables and other current liabilities 
Other receivables and other current liabilities are 
measured at amortised cost usually corresponding  
to the nominal amount.

Inventory
The group uses monthly standard costs to calculate 
inventory and revises all indirect production costs at 
least once a year. Standard costs are also revised if they 
deviate materially from the actual cost of the individual 
product. A key component in the standard cost 
calculation is the cost of raw milk from farmers. This is 
determined using the average prepaid milk price that 
matches the production date of inventory. 

Indirect production costs are calculated based on 
relevant assumptions with respect to capacity 
utilisation, production time and other factors 
characterising the individual product. 

The assessment of the net realisable value requires 
judgement, particularly in relation to the estimate of  
the selling price of certain cheese stock with long 
maturities and bulk products to be sold on European  
or global commodity markets. 

Receivables
Expected losses are based on a calculation, including 
several parameters, for example the number of days 
overdue adjusted for significant negative developments 
in certain geographical areas. 

The financial uncertainty associated with the provision 
for expected losses is usually considered to be limited. 
However, if a customer's ability to pay were to deteriorate 
in the future, further write-downs may be necessary. 

Customer-specific bonuses are calculated based on 
actual agreements with retailers; however, some 
uncertainty exists when estimating the exact amounts 
to be settled and the timing of these settlements.

Finance programmes
The classification of trade receivable finance  
programmes and supply chain finance programmes  
is subject to judgement. The utilisation of these  
programmes is recognised in net working capital.

 
83 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Capital employed
3.1 INTANGiBLE ASSETS

  STABLE LEVEL Of iNTANGiBLE ASSETS AND GOODwiLL

Intangible assets and goodwill amounted to EUR 946 
million, representing an increase of EUR 15 million 
compared to last year. 

Goodwill
The carrying value of goodwill amounted to EUR 710 
million, compared to EUR 667 million last year. This 
increase was due to exchange rate movements. Of the 
total carrying value of goodwill, EUR 498 million related 
to activities in the UK, compared to EUR 462 million last 
year. Refer to Note 3.1.1 for more details.

Licences and trademarks
The carrying value of licences and trademarks 
amounted to EUR 76 million, compared to EUR 81 
million last year. The carrying amount primarily relates 
to the recognition of trademarks in connection with 
business combinations and includes brands such as Yeo 
Valley®, Anchor® and Hansano®. The decrease in value 
compared to last year was due to amortisation. The 

strategic brands, Arla®, Lurpak®, Castello® and Puck®, 
are internally generated trademarks and consequently 
no carrying amounts are recognised for these. Arla has 
the licence to manufacture, distribute and market 
StarbucksTM premium ready-to-drink coffee beverages 
under a long-term strategic licence agreement. 
Additionally, Arla holds a long-term licence agreement 
to manufacture, distribute and market KraftTM branded 
cheese products in the MENA region. No values are 
recognised due to these licence agreements.

IT and other development projects
The carrying amount of IT and other development 
projects was EUR 160 million, compared to EUR 183 
million last year. The group continued to invest in the 
development of IT. In 2021, IT investments related to 
Focus Trade Investment, a freight cost management 
solution and a new milk settlement system. Other 
capitalised development costs included innovation 
activities and the development of new products.

Intangible assets and goodwill,  
2021

Intangible assets and goodwill, 
2020

946

MILLION EUR

931

MILLION EUR

  Goodwill 75% 
  Licences and trademarks 8%
  IT and other development projects 17%

  Goodwill 72% 
  Licences and trademarks 8%
  IT and other development projects 20%

Table 3.1.a Intangible assets and goodwill
(EURm)

Goodwill 

Licence and  
trademarks

IT and other 
development 
projects

2021
Cost at 1 January 
Exchange rate adjustments
Additions 
Disposals
Cost at 31 December
Amortisation and impairment at 1 January
Exchange rate adjustments
Amortisation and impairment for the year
Amortisation on disposals
Amortisation and impairment at 31 December
Carrying amount at 31 December

2020
Cost at 1 January 
Exchange rate adjustments
Additions 
Disposals
Cost at 31 December
Amortisation and impairment at 1 January
Exchange rate adjustments
Amortisation and impairment for the year
Amortisation on disposals
Amortisation and impairment at 31 December
Carrying amount at 31 December

667
43
-
-
710 
-
-
-
-
-
710 

700 
-33 
-
-
667 
-
-
-
-
- 
667 

163
3
-
-
166
-82 
-1 
-7 
-
-90 
76 

173 
-2 
-
-8
163 
-83 
1 
-8 
8
-82
81

513
2
45
-2
558
-330 
-3 
-67 
2 
-398 
160 

472 
1 
53 
-13 
513 
-280 
-1 
-62 
13 
-330
183

Total

1,343
48
45
-2
1,434
-412 
-4 
-74 
2 
-488 
946 

1,345 
-34 
53 
-21
1,343 
-363 
-
-70 
21
-412 
931 

84 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Capital employed
3.1 INTANGiBLE ASSETS

   Accounting policies

3.1.1 Impairment test of goodwill

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the premium paid by Arla above 
the fair value of the net assets of an acquired company. 
On initial recognition, goodwill is recognised at cost. 
Goodwill is not amortised, but is subsequently measured 
at cost less any accumulated impairment. The carrying 
amount of goodwill is allocated to the group's 
cash-generating units that follow the management 
structure and internal financial reporting. Cash-generating 
units are the smallest group of assets which can 
generate independent cash inflows.

Licences and trademarks
Licences and trademarks are initially recognised at cost. 
The cost is subsequently amortised on a straight-line 
basis over their expected useful lives.

IT and other development projects
Costs incurred during the research or exploration phase 
in carrying out general assessments of requirements and 
available technologies are expensed as incurred. Directly 
attributable costs incurred during the development stage 
for IT and other development projects relating to the 
design, programming, installation and testing of projects 
before they are ready for commercial use are capitalised 
as intangible assets. Such costs are only capitalised 
provided the expenditure can be measured reliably, the 
project is technically, and commercially viable, future 
economic benefits are probable, and the group intends 
to and has sufficient resources to complete and use the 
asset. IT and other development projects are amortised 
on a straight-line basis over five to eight years.

Table 3.1.b Goodwill split by commercial segment and country
(EURm)

2021

2020

      GOODwiLL SUppORTED By fUTURE26 OUTLOOK 

Goodwill is allocated to relevant cash-generating units, 
primarily to our activities in the UK within the commercial 
segment Europe. 

Basis for impairment test and applied estimates 
Impairment tests are based on expected future cash 
flows derived from forecasts and long-term strategic 
targets. Future cash flows and earnings targets are 
projected for individual cash-generating units, based 
on expected developments identified in the Future26 
process as well as past experience. The impairment tests 
do not include revenue growth in the terminal value. 

Procedure for impairment tests 
Impairment tests of goodwill are based on an assessment 
of their value in use. Milk costs in the forecast are 
recognised at a milk price that corresponds to the price 

at the time the test was performed and longer-term. The 
key operational assumption is future profitability based 
on a combination of the impact from moving milk intake 
into value-add products and more profitable markets and 
operational efficiency initiatives.

Test results
There was no identified impairment of goodwill at year-
end. Sensitivities to changes in milk prices and discount 
rates were calculated. The discount rate could rise up to 
3 percentage points in the UK and 1 percentage point 
in Finland before goodwill could be at risk of being 
impaired. Goodwill allocated to other markets was 
tested applying similar assumptions. It is not likely that 
any reasonable change in those assumptions would 
lead to an impairment.

UK
Finland
Sweden
Other
Europe total

MENA
International

Argentina
Arla Foods Ingredients
Total

498
40
22 
63
623

78
78

9 
9
710

462
40
22 
63
587

72
72

8 
8
667

Table 3.1.1 Impairment tests
(EURm)

2021
UK
Finland
Sweden
Europe other
MENA
Arla Foods ingredients

2020
UK
Finland
Sweden
Europe other
MENA
Arla Foods ingredients

Applied key assumptions

Discount rate, 
net of tax

Discount rate,  
before tax

6.5%
5.6%
6.1%
5.7%
12.0%
6.3%

6.1%
5.5%
5.9%
5.4%
11.6%
6.0%

7.2%
6.0%
6.7%
6.3%
13.7%
7.0%

6.8%
6.0%
6.6%
6.0%
13.0%
6.7%

 
 
 
85 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Capital employed
3.1 INTANGiBLE ASSETS

    Accounting policies

   Uncertainties and estimates 

Impairment occurs when the carrying amount of an 
asset is greater than its recoverable amount through 
either use or sale. For impairment testing, assets are 
grouped together into the smallest group of assets that 
generates cash inflows from continuing use (a cash- 
generating unit) that are largely independent of the 
cash inflows of other assets or cash-generating units. 
For goodwill which does not generate largely 
independent cash inflows, impairment tests are 
prepared at the level where cash flows are considered 
to be generated largely independently.

The group of cash-generating units is determined 
based on the management structure and internal 
financial reporting. The structure of cash-generating 
units is revised yearly. The carrying amount of goodwill 
is tested for impairment together with other non-current 
assets in the cash-generating unit to which the goodwill 
is allocated. The recoverable amount of goodwill is 
recognised as the present value of the expected future 
net cash flows from the group of cash-generating units 
to which the goodwill is allocated, discounted using a 
pre-tax discount rate that reflects the current market 
assessment of the time value of money and risks 
specific to the asset or cash-generating unit.

The carrying amount of other non-current assets is 
assessed annually against its recoverable amount to 
determine whether there is any indication of impairment. 
Any impairment of goodwill is recognised as a separate 
item in the income statement and cannot be reversed.

The recoverable amount of other non-current assets 
is the higher value of the asset's value in use and its 
market value, i.e. fair value, less expected disposal costs. 
The value in use is calculated as the present value of 
the estimated future net cash flows from the use of the 
asset or the group of cash-generating units to which 
the asset belongs.

An impairment loss on other non-current assets is 
recognised in the income statement under production 
costs, selling and distribution costs or administration 
costs, respectively. Impairment recognised can only 
be reversed to the extent that the assumptions and 
estimates that led to the impairment have changed. An 
impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the 
asset's carrying amount does not exceed the carrying 
amount that would have been determined, net of 
depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had 
been recognised.

Goodwill impairment tests are performed for the group 
of cash-generating units to which goodwill is allocated. 
The group of cash-generating units is defined based on 
the management structure for commercial segments 
and is linked to individual markets. The structure and 
groups of cash-generating units are assessed on an 
annual basis. 

The impairment test of goodwill is performed at least 
annually for each group of cash-generating units to 
which goodwill is allocated. 

To determine the value in use, the expected cash flow 
approach is applied. The most important parameters in 
the impairment test include anticipations of future free 
cash flows and assumptions on discount rates. 

Anticipated future free cash flows
The anticipated future free cash flows are based on 
current forecasts and long-term 2026 targets derived 
from the Future26 process. These are determined at 
cash-generating unit level in the forecast and target 
planning process, and are based on external sources of 
information and industry-relevant observations such as 
macroeconomic and market conditions. All applied 
assumptions are challenged through the forecast and 
target planning process based on management's best 

estimates and expectations, which are subject to 
judgement by nature. They include expectations 
regarding revenue growth, EBIT margins and capital 
expenditure. The assumptions include moving milk 
intake into value-add products and more profitable 
markets and operational efficiency initiatives. The 
growth rate beyond the strategy period has been set to 
the expected inflation rate in the terminal period and 
assumes no nominal growth.

Discount rates
A discount rate, namely weighted average cost of 
capital (WACC), is applied for specific cash-generating 
units based on assumptions regarding interest rates and 
risk premiums. The WACC is recalculated to a before-tax 
rate. Changes in the future cash flow or discount rate 
estimates used may result in materially different values.

86 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Capital employed
3.2 pROpERTy, pLANT AND EQUipMENT

      Expanding production capacities

Arla's main property, plant and equipment are located in 
Denmark, the UK, Germany and Sweden. The carrying 
amount increased to EUR 3,072 million compared to 
EUR 2,915 million last year. The increase amounted 
to EUR 157 million, driven by high CAPEX investment 
levels and currencies. 

Key investments in 2021 included continued expansion 
of the powder production capacity in Germany, further 
investments in the production facilities in Bahrain, 
a new AFI innovation center and expansion of the 
mozzarella production capacity in Denmark.

Property, plant and equipment  
by country, 2021

Property, plant and equipment  
by country, 2020

3,072 

MILLION EUR

2,915

MILLION EUR

  Denmark 45% 
  Sweden 10%
  UK 19%
  Germany 15%
  Other 11%

  Denmark 46% 
  Sweden 11%
  UK 19%
  Germany 14%
  Other 10%

Table 3.2.a Property, plant and equipment
(EURm)

2021
Cost at 1 January 
Exchange rate adjustments
Additions 
Transferred from assets under construction
Disposals
Reclassifications
Cost at 31 December
Depreciation and impairment at 1 January
Exchange rate adjustments
Depreciation and impairment for the year
Depreciation on disposals
Reclassifications
Depreciation and impairment at 31 December
Carrying amount at 31 December
Right of use assets included in the carrying amount 

2020
Cost at 1 January 
Exchange rate adjustments
Additions 
Transferred from assets under construction
Disposals
Reclassifications
Cost at 31 December
Depreciation and impairment at 1 January
Exchange rate adjustments
Depreciation and impairment for the year
Depreciation on disposals
Depreciation and impairment at 31 December
Carrying amount at 31 December
Right of use assets included in the carrying amount 

Land  
and 
buildings

Plant  
and  
machinery

Fixtures  
and  
fittings,  
tools and 
equipment

Assets 
under 
construc-
tion

1,770 
38 
104 
100 
-27 
2 
1,987 
-764 
-9 
-78 
15 
-2 
-838 
1,149 
141 

1,666 
-17 
81 
66 
-26
-
1,770 
-705 
1 
-73 
13 
-764 
1,006 
136 

3,471 
45 
133 
169 
-46 
28 
3,800 
-2,219 
-29 
-251 
38 
-28 
-2,489 
1,311 
8 

3,152 
-13 
102 
195 
-23
58
3,471 
-2,021 
5 
-234 
31 
-2,219 
1,252 
13 

724 
20 
53 
12 
-32 
5 
782 
-520 
-11
-77
30 
-5 
-583 
199 
81 

685 
-14 
60 
28 
-35
-
724 
-474 
4 
-74
24
-520 
204 
80 

453 
11 
231 
-281 
-1 
-
413 
-
-
-
-
-
-
413
-

407 
-2 
337 
-289 
-
-
453 
-
-
-
-
-
453 

Total

6,418 
114 
521 
-
-106 
35 
6,982 
-3,503 
-49
-406
83 
-35 
-3,910 
3,072 
230 

5,910 
-46 
580 
-
-84 
58 
6,418 
-3,200 
10 
-381
68
-3,503 
2,915 
229 

87 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Capital employed
3.2 pROpERTy, pLANT AND EQUipMENT

Investments in and depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right of use assets 
(EURm)

    Accounting policies

600

400

248

200

0

2017

506
81

425

367

70

297

580

102

478

381

67

314

521

69

452

406
74

332

383

298

306

2018

2019

2020

2021

  Right of use assets 
  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
  Investments in property, plant and equipment 

Table 3.2.b Estimated useful life in years
(EURm)

Office buildings
Production buildings
Technical plant
Other fixtures and fittings, tools and equipment

2021

2020

50
20-30
5-20
3-7

50
20-30
5-20
3-7

Property, plant and equipment are measured at cost  
less accumulated depreciation and accumulated 
impairment losses. Assets under construction, land  
and decommissioned plants are not depreciated.

Cost
Cost comprises the acquisition price as well as costs 
directly associated with an asset until the asset is ready 
for its intended use. For self-constructed assets, cost 
comprises direct and indirect costs relating to materials, 
components, payroll and the borrowing costs from 
specific and general borrowing that directly concerns 
the construction of assets. If significant parts of an item 
of property, plant and equipment have different useful 
lives, they are recognised as separate items (major 
components) and depreciated separately. When 
component parts are replaced, any remaining carrying 
amount of replaced parts is removed from the balance 
sheet and recognised as an accelerated depreciation 
charge in the income statement. Subsequent 
expenditure items of property, plant and equipment are 
only recognised as an addition to the carrying amount 
of the item, when it is likely that incurring the cost will 
result in financial benefits for the group. Other costs 
such as general repair and maintenance are recognised 
in the income statement when incurred.

Depreciation
Depreciation aims to allocate the cost of the asset, less 
any amounts estimated to be recoverable at the end of 
its expected use, to the periods in which the group 
obtains benefits from its use. Property, plant and 
equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis from 
the time of acquisition, or when the asset is available for 
use based on an assessment of the estimated useful life.

The depreciation base is measured taking into account 
the residual value of the asset, being the estimated 
value the asset can generate through sale or scrappage 
at the balance sheet date if the asset was of the age 
and in the condition expected at the end of its useful 
life, and reduced by any impairment made. The residual 
value is determined at the date of acquisition and is 
reviewed annually. Depreciation ceases when the 
carrying amount of an item is lower than the residual 
value, or when an item is decommissioned. Changes 
during the depreciation period or in the residual value 
are treated as changes to accounting estimates, the 
effect of which is adjusted only in current and future 
periods. Depreciation is recognised in the income 
statement in production costs, selling and distribution 
costs or administration costs.

   Uncertainties and estimates 

Estimates are made in assessing the useful lives of 
items of property, plant and equipment that determine 
the period over which the depreciable amount of the 
asset is expensed in the income statement. The 
depreciable amount of an item of property, plant and 
equipment is a function of the asset's cost or carrying 
amount and its residual value. Estimates are made in 
assessing the amount that the group can recover at the 
end of the useful life of an asset. An annual review is 
performed to assess the appropriateness of the 
depreciation method, useful life and residual values of 
items of property, plant and equipment.

88 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Capital employed
3.2 pROpERTy, pLANT AND EQUipMENT

3.2.1 Right of use assets

  fiNANCiAL COMMENTS

Arla leases various offices, warehouses, vehicles and 
other equipment. Leases are typically agreed for a 
fixed duration, but may include an extension option. 
Significant right of use assets include office buildings and 
warehouses in Denmark, Germany, Sweden and the UK 
with remaining useful lives between 10 and 20 years. 

Additions to right of use assets during the year amounted 
to EUR 69 million, compared to EUR 102 million last year. 
The total carrying amount of right of use assets was EUR 
230 million, compared to EUR 229 million last year, as 
specified in table 3.2.1.a. Lease liabilities are specified in 
Note 4.3. 

Filling machinery and other technical plants represent 
another major right of use asset category. Filling 
machines typically have useful lives of seven years, 
whereas other technical plants are depreciated 
between one and seven years. Cars and trucks have on 
average useful lives of four and five years, respectively. 
In total, the group has approximately 4,000 leases. 

Table 3.2.1.a Right of use assets
(EURm)

2021
Carrying amount at 1 January
Additions 
Disposals
Depreciation and amortisation for the year
Depreciation on disposals 
Exhange rate adjustments 
Carrying amount at 31 December

2020
Carrying amount at 1 January
Additions 
Disposals
Depreciation and impairment for the year
Depreciation on disposals 
Exhange rate adjustments 
Carrying amount at 31 December

 Land and 
buildings

Plant and 
machinery

Fixtures and 
fittings, tools 
and equipment

136 
30 
-5 
-31 
5 
6 
141 

109 
55 
-8 
-23 
5 
-2 
136 

13 
4 
-7 
-9 
6 
1 
8 

21 
4 
-8 
-10 
6 
-
13 

80 
35 
-18 
-34 
16 
2 
81 

78 
43 
-19 
-34 
13 
-1 
80 

Table 3.2.1.b Amounts recognised in the income statement
(EURm)

Expenses related to short-term and low-value leases
Interest expenses on lease liabilities
Total amounts recognised in the income statement

Payment of lease debt
Total cash outflow from right of use assets

   Accounting policies

2021

2020

38
7
45

73
118

39
8
47

67
114

Leases are typically agreed for a fixed duration, but may 
have an option to extend at a future date. All leases are 
recognised as a right of use asset and a corresponding 
liability at the date at which the leased asset is available 
for use by the group.

The right of use asset is subsequently depreciated over 
the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term 
on a straight-line basis. In addition, the value of the right 
of use asset is adjusted for certain remeasurements of 
the lease liability.

Total

229 
69 
-30 
-74 
27 
9 
230 

208 
102 
-35 
-67 
24 
-3 
229 

A lease liability is initially measured on a present value basis, 
which comprises the net present value of the following: 
•   fixed lease payments (including in-substance fixed 
payments), less any lease incentives receivable 
•   variable lease payments based on an index or a rate 
•   amounts expected to be payable by the group under 

residual value guarantees 

•   the exercise price of a purchase option if the group is 

reasonably certain to exercise that option, and 

•   payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the 
group is reasonably certain to exercise that exit option.

The lease payments are discounted using an incremental 
borrowing rate, being the rate that the group would 
have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an 
asset of similar value in a similar economic environment 
with similar terms and conditions.

The corresponding right of use asset is measured at 
cost comprising the following: 
•   the amount of the initial measurement of the lease 

liability

•   any lease payments made at or before the com-

mencement date less any lease incentives received

•   any initial direct costs, and restoration costs. 

Each lease payment comprises a reduction of the lease 
liability and a finance cost. The finance cost is charged 
to profit or loss over the lease period to produce a 
constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining 
balance of the liability for each period. 

Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are 
recognised as an expense in the income statement. 
Short-term leases have a lease term of less than one 
year. Low-value assets have an individual value of less 
than EUR 5 thousand.

   Uncertainties and estimates 

The group has applied estimates and judgements with 
an impact on the recognition and measurement of 
right of use assets and lease liabilities. This includes an 
assessment of the incremental borrowing rate, service 
components and facts and circumstances that could 
create an economic incentive to utilise the extension 
options of lease arrangements.

 
 
89 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Capital employed
3.3 jOiNT VENTURES AND ASSOCiATES

      Financial comments

The share of the profit or loss in joint ventures and 
associates increased by 82 per cent to EUR 53 million 
compared to EUR 28 million last year, and relates 
primarily to the profit or loss from our investments in 
Mengniu and Lantbrukarnas Riksförbund (LRF).

COFCO Dairy Holdings Limited (CDH) and 
China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited (Mengniu)
The group's proportionate share of the net asset value 
of CDH including the investment in Mengniu is EUR 416 
million, compared to EUR 343 million last year. The carrying 
amount of the investment in CDH includes goodwill 
amounting to EUR 149 million, compared to EUR 138 
million last year driven by the development in HKD and CNY. 

The fair value of the indirect share in Mengniu equals 
EUR 1,043 million, compared to EUR 1,024 million 
last year based on the official listed share price at 
31 December 2021. 

The investment in CDH is part of the China business 
unit and is currently managed in China, along with 
sales activi ties with similar characteristics. The need 
for impairment of the investment is tested at the China 

business unit level, using the expected future net 
cash flow. Impairment risks include substantial and 
long-term reductions in leading share indexes in Asia, 
the issue of import restrictions on dairy products in 
China, or an adverse and permanent reduction in the 
expected performance of Mengniu. As the fair value 
exceeds the carrying amount of the investment, there 
is no indication of impairment. Mengniu reported 
group revenue of EUR 9,664 million and a profit of 
EUR 445 million in 2020. Consolidated figures are 
not available for the CDH group. CDH holds no other 
significant investment than the investment in Mengniu 
and reported revenue relates to received dividend 
payments from Mengniu. Through the investment in 
CDH, Arla holds a 5,3 per cent indirect investment in 
Mengniu. See table 3.3.b for more details on CDH. 

Joint ventures
The carrying amount of joint ventures decreased 
to EUR 20 million compared to EUR 40 million last 
year. The decrease results from the sale of Biolac 
in November 2021. The remaining value primarily 
relates to the German joint venture ArNoCo. The 
carrying amount does not include goodwill.

Recognised value of associates and  
joint ventures, 2021

Recognised value of associates and  
joint ventures, 2020

Table 3.3.a Associates and Joint ventures
Value of associates and joint ventures
(EURm)

Share of equity in COFCO Dairy Holdings Ltd. 
Goodwill in COFCO Dairy Holdings Ltd. 
Share of equity in immaterial associates
Recognised value of associates

Share of equity in immaterial joint ventures
Recognised value of associates and joint ventures

Table 3.3.b COFCO Dairy Holdings Ltd. 
Disclosures of financial information*
(EURm)

Revenue
Net profit/loss
Non-current assets
Dividends received
Ownership share
Group share of net profit/loss
Recognised value

2021

2020

267 
149 
94 
510 

20 
530

205 
138 
87 
430 

40 
470 

2021

2020

-
-23
729
12
30%
36
416

16
16
702
0
30%
21
343

530

MILLION EUR

470

MILLION EUR

  Share of equity in CDH/Mengniu 50% 
  Goodwill in CDH/Mengniu 28%
  Share of equity in immaterial associates 18%
  Share of equity in immaterial joint ventures 4%

  Share of equity in CDH/Mengniu 44% 
  Goodwill in CDH/Mengniu 29%
  Share of equity in immaterial associates 19%
  Share of equity in immaterial joint ventures 8%

COFCO Dairy Holdings Ltd. has no other significant assets or liabilities. 
* Based on latest available financial reporting

Fair value based on listed share price

1,043

1,024 

Table 3.3.c Transactions with associates and joint ventures
(EURm)

Sale of goods 
Purchase of goods
Trade receivables* 
Trade payables* 

* Included in other receivables and other payables

2021

2020

56 
68 
13 
-5 

109 
68 
30 
-7 

 
90 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Lantbrukarnas Riksforbund, Sweden (LRF)
Arla has an ownership interest of 24 per cent in LRF, 
which is a politically independent professional 
organisation for Swedish entrepreneurs involved in 
agriculture, forestry and horticulture. 

Based on a detailed analysis of the LRF arrangement, 
Arla's active ownership interest constitutes a significant 
influence in LRF. This includes, but is not limited 
to, owner representation on the Board of Directors. 
Furthermore, owners of Arla have represented the 
Swedish dairy industry at the Board of Directors of LRF 
and both Arla and our Swedish owners are individual 
members of LRF.

Capital employed
3.3 ASSOCiATES AND jOiNT VENTURES

   Accounting policies

Investments in which Arla has a significant but not 
controlling influence are classified as associates. 
Investments in which Arla has joint control are classified 
as joint ventures.

The proportionate share of the net profit or loss in 
associates and joint ventures is recognised in the 
consolidated income statement, after elimination of the 
proportionate share of unrealised inter-company profits 
or losses.

Where the equity-accounted investment is considered 
to be an integral part of a cash-generating unit (CGU), 
the impairment test is performed at the CGU level, 
using expected future net cash flows of the CGU. An 
impairment loss is recognised when the recoverable 
amount of the equity-accounted investment (or 
CGU) becomes lower than the carrying amount. The 
recoverable amount is defined as the higher of value 
in use and fair value less costs to sell of the equity-
accounted investment (or CGU).

Investments in associates and joint ventures 
are recognised according to the equity method 
and measured at the proportionate share of the 
entities' net asset values, calculated in accordance 
with Arla's accounting policies. The proportionate 
share of unrealised inter-company profits and the 
carrying amount of goodwill is added, whereas the 
proportionate share of unrealised inter-company losses 
is deducted. Dividends received from associates and 
joint ventures reduce the value of the investment.

For investments held in listed companies, computation 
of Arla's share of profit and equity is based on the latest 
published financial information of the company, other 
publicly available information on the company's 
financial development, and the effect of revalued  
net assets.

Investments in associates and joint ventures with 
negative net asset values are measured at zero.  
If Arla has a legal or constructive obligation to cover  
a loss in the associate or joint venture, the loss is 
recognised under provisions. Any amounts owed by 
associates and joint ventures are written down to the 
extent that the amount owed is deemed irrecoverable.

An impairment test is performed when there are 
indications of impairment, such as significant adverse 
changes in the environment in which the equity- 
accounted investee operates, or a significant or 
prolonged decline in the fair value of the investment 
below its carrying amount.

  Uncertainties and estimates 

Significant influence is defined as the power to 
participate in financial and operating policy decisions of 
the investee but does not constitute control or joint 
control over those policies. Judgement is necessary in 
determining when a significant influence exists. When 
determining significant influence, factors such as 
representation on the Board of Directors, participation 
in policy-making, material transactions between the 
entities and interchange of managerial personnel are 
considered.

CDH and Mengniu
The group has a 30 per cent investment in CDH, which 
is considered an associate based on a cooperation 
agreement extending significant influence including the 
right to representation on the Board. The cooperation 
agreement with CDH also entitles Arla to representation 
on the Board of Mengniu, a Hong Kong-listed dairy 
company in which CDH is a significant shareholder. 
It was agreed that Arla and Mengniu cooperate in 
relation to the exchange of technical dairy knowledge 
and expertise, and that Arla grants intellectual rights 
to Mengniu. Based on these underlying agreements, 
it is our assessment that Arla exercises a significant 
influence in Mengniu. 

91 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.1 fiNANCiAL RiSKS

  fiNANCiAL RiSK MANAGEMENT 

Financial risks are an inherent part of the group's 
operating activities and as a result, the group's profit is 
impacted by the development in currencies, interest 
rates and certain types of commodities. The global 
financial markets are volatile and thus it is critical 
for the group to have an appropriate financial risk 
management approach in place to mitigate short-term 
market volatility, while simultaneously achieving the 
highest possible milk price. 

The group's comprehensive financial risk management 
strategy and system builds on a thorough understanding 
of the interaction between the group's operating 

activities and underlying financial risks. The overall 
framework for managing financial risks, being the 
treasury and funding policy, is approved by the Board 
of Directors and managed centrally by the Treasury 
department. The policy outlines risk limits for each type 
of financial risk, permitted financial instruments and 
counterparties. 

The Board of Directors receives a report on the 
group's financial risk exposure on a monthly basis. 
Hedging the volatility of milk prices is not within the 
scope of financial risk management but is an inherent 
component of the group's business model.

Table 4.1.1.a Liquidity reserves
(EURm)

Cash and cash equivalents
Securities (free cash flow)
Unutilised committed loan facilities
Unutilised other loan facilities
Total

Liquidity reserves, 2021

Liquidity reserves, 2020

2021

2020

97 
12 
689 
167 
965 

126 
18 
326 
12 
482 

4.1.1 Liquidity reserves

  STRONG LiQUiDiTy RESERVES 

Liquidity reserves increased by EUR 483 million to EUR 
965 million in 2021. Looking at the maturity profile 
of the group's debt and the forecasted cash flow, the 
liquidity reserves are considered strong and expected to 
decrease to an adequate level during 2022. 

Ensuring availability of sufficient operating liquidity 
and credit facilities for operations is the primary goal of 
managing liquidity risk. Based on the liquidity models 
suggested by the rating agencies, Arla's liquidity 
reserves have been assessed as adequate for the 
coming 12 months. 

Supply chain finance programmes and trade receivables 
financing relating to customers form part of the group's 
liquidity management. Selected suppliers have access 
to the group's supply chain finance facilities, which 
allow those suppliers to benefit from the group's 
credit profile. 

More than 95 per cent of the day-to-day liquidity flow 
of the group is managed by the Treasury department 
and the internal bank via cash pooling arrangements. 
This secures a scalable and efficient operating model. 
As a result, the group has been able to achieve a cost-
efficient utilisation of credit facilities. 

Arla operates in several countries where restrictions on 
the transferability of cash exist. However, the balances 
of cash deemed trapped are insignificant.

965

MILLION EUR

482

MILLION EUR

  Cash and cash equivalents 10% 
  Securities (free cash flow) 1% 
  Unutilised committed loan facilities 72% 
  Unutilised other loan facilities 17%

  Cash and cash equivalents 26% 
  Securities (free cash flow) 4% 
  Unutilised committed loan facilities 68% 
  Unutilised other loan facilities 2%

92 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.1 fiNANCiAL RiSKS

Table 4.1.1.b Contractual expected non-discounted cash flows from gross financial liabilities
(EURm)

2021
Issued bonds
Mortgage credit institutions
Credit institutions
Lease liabilities
Other current liabilities
Interest expenses – interest-bearing debt
Trade and other payables
Derivative instruments
Total

2020
Issued bonds
Mortgage credit institutions
Credit institutions
Lease liabilities
Other current liabilities
Interest expenses – interest-bearing debt
Trade and other payables
Derivative instruments
Total

Carrying 
amount

 440 
 1,033 
1,036 
233 
15 
-
1,445
86 
4,288

Carrying 
amount

399 
1,042 
986 
233 
70 
-
1,212 
66 
4,008 

Non-discounted contractual cash flows

Total

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029-2031

After 2031

 444 
1,040 
1,038 
233 
15 
65 
1,445
86 
4,366

-
11 
599 
60 
15 
14 
1,445
47 
2,191

149 
11 
194 
50 
-
11 
-
13 
428 

149 
12 
243 
35 
-
6 
-
7 
452 

-
87 
1 
27 
-
5 
-
5 
125 

146 
50 
1 
19 
-
3 
-
2 
221 

-
55 
-
16 
-
3 
-
1 
75 

-
61 
-
7 
-
2 
-
1 
71 

-
249 
-
14 
-
7 
-
4 
274 

-
504 
-
5 
-
14 
-
6 
529 

Non-discounted contractual cash flows

Total

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028-2030

After 2030

399 
1,061 
987 
233 
70 
72 
1,212 
66 
4,100 

100 
8 
531 
56 
70 
13 
1,212 
22 
2,012 

-
12 
152 
43 
-
12 
-
10 
229 

150 
12 
101 
36 
-
9 
-
9 
317 

149 
12 
201 
27 
-
4 
-
7 
400 

-
87 
1 
20 
-
3 
-
3 
114 

-
51 
1 
24 
-
3 
-
2 
81 

-
56 
-
6 
-
3 
-
1 
66 

-
219 
-
10 
-
7 
-
3 
239 

-
604 
-
11 
-
18 
-
9 
642 

Assumptions
The contractual cash flows are based on the following assumptions:
• The cash flows are based on the earliest possible date at which the group can be required to settle the financial liability
• The interest rate cash flows are based on the contractual interest rate. Floating interest payments have been determined using the current floating rate for each item at the reporting date

93 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.1 fiNANCiAL RiSKS

   Risk mitigation 

Risk
Liquidity and funding are vital for the group to be able 
to pay its financial liabilities as they become due. It also 
impacts our ability to attract new funding in the longer 
term and is crucial to fulfilling the group's strategic 
ambitions. 

Policy 
The treasury and funding policy states the minimum 
average maturity threshold for net interest-bearing debt 
and sets limitations on debt maturing within the next 
12- and 24-month periods. Unused committed facilities 
are taken into account when calculating average maturity.

Average maturity

Average maturity, gross debt
Maturity < 1 year, net debt
Maturity > 2 years, net debt

2021

2020

Minimum

Maximum

Policy

5.8 years
0%
100%

5.0 years
0%
84%

2 years
-
50%

-
25%
-

How we act and operate
In addition to the treasury and funding policy, the 
Board of Directors has approved a long-term financing 
strategy, which defines the direction for financing of the 
group. This includes counterparties, instruments and 
risk appetite and describes future funding opportunities 

to be explored and implemented. The funding strategy 
is supported by members' long-term commitment to 
investing in the business. It is the group's objective 
to maintain its credit quality at a robust investment 
grade level.

a positive or negative amount is recognised in other 
income or other costs, respectively. A net loss of EUR 
31 million was recognised in other costs compared to  
a gain of EUR 17 million last year. A loss from hedges 
will be expected in years where export currencies 
strengthen during the year and vice versa. 

The group is exposed to translation effects from entities 
reporting in currencies other than EUR. The group is 
mainly exposed to translation of entities reporting in GBP, 
DKK, SEK, CNY and USD. Due to translation effects, 
revenue decreased by EUR 40 million compared to the 
revenue reported last year. Simultaneously, costs 
decreased by EUR 27 million compared to last year's 
reported costs. The group's financial position is similarly 
exposed, impacting the value of assets and liabilities 
reported in currencies other than EUR. The translation 
effect on net assets is recognised in other comprehen-
sive income as foreign currency translation adjustments. 
In 2021, a net gain of EUR 132 million was recognised in 
other comprehensive income compared to a net loss of 
EUR 84 million last year. 

Indirectly the prepaid milk price absorbs both 
transaction and translation effects, and the net profit 
or loss therefore has limited exposure to currency 
risks. The prepaid milk price is set based on achieving 
an annual profit of 2.8 to 3.2 per cent. The prepaid 
milk price is initially measured and paid out based on 
a EUR amount and is consequently exposed to EUR 
fluctuations against GBP, SEK and DKK. 

Compared to last year, the average rate of the USD 
weakened by 4 per cent, whereas the GBP and SEK 
strengthened by 3 per cent. 

The group is increasingly involved in emerging markets 
where efficient hedging is often not feasible due to 
currency regulations, illiquid financial markets or 
expensive hedging costs. Among the most important 
markets are Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, 
Bangladesh, Lebanon and Argentina. Countries with 
less efficient currency markets represented 4 per cent 
of the group's revenue in 2021.

4.1.2 Currency risk

Revenue split by currency,  
2021

Revenue split by currency,  
2020

  CURRENCy iMpACT ON REVENUE, COSTS AND fiNANCiAL pOSiTiON 

The group is exposed to both transaction and translation 
effects from foreign exchange rates. 

Transaction effects are due to sales in currencies other 
than the functional currencies of the individual entities. 
The group is mainly exposed to USD and USD-pegged 
currencies as well as GBP. Revenue decreased by EUR 13 
million compared to last year due to negative transaction 
effects. Part of this exposure was hedged by costs in 
the same currency. Financial instruments such as trade 
receivables, trade payables and other items denominated 
in currencies other than the individual entities' functional 

currencies are also exposed to currency risks. The net 
effect from the revaluation of these financial instruments 
is recognised in financial income or financial costs. A net 
loss of EUR 28 million was recognised in financial costs 
compared to a loss of EUR 25 million last year. Exchange 
rate losses relate primarily to the devaluations of the 
Lebanese, Nigerian and Argentine currencies, which 
amounted to EUR 21 million. 

To manage short-term volatility from currency 
fluctuations, derivatives are used to hedge the currency 
exposure. When settling the hedging instrument,  

11,202

MILLION EUR

10,644

MILLION EUR

  EUR 31%
  USD 9%

  GBP 25%
  SAR 3%

  SEK 13%
  Other 8%

  DKK 11%

  EUR 30%
  USD 9%

  GBP 25%
  SAR 3%

  SEK 13%
  Other 8%

  DKK 12%

 
94 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.1 fiNANCiAL RiSKS

Table 4.1.2.a Exchange rates

EUR/GBP
EUR/SEK
EUR/DKK
EUR/USD
EUR/SAR

2021

0.839
10.241
7.437
1.133
4.253

Closing rate
2020

Change

2021

Average rate
2020

Change

   Risk mitigation 

0.903
10.081
7.441
1.230
4.616

7.1%
-1.6%
0.1%
7.9%
7.9%

0.860
10.145
7.437
1.182
4.434

0.889
10.483
7.454
1.140
4.279

3.3%
3.2%
0.2%
-3.7%
-3.6%

Table 4.1.2.b Currency exposure 

Balance sheet  
exposure

Potential  
accounting impact

Open 
positions

Hedging  
of future 
cash flows

External 
exposure Sensitivity

Income 
statement

Other 
compre-
hensive 
income

2021
EUR/DKK
USD/DKK*
GBP/DKK
SEK/DKK
SAR/DKK

2020
EUR/DKK
USD/DKK*
GBP/DKK
SEK/DKK
SAR/DKK

*Incl. AED

-86 
44
25
12
9

-94 
10
-9
-35
8

278
-252
-418
-49
-176

-10
-197
-415
-87
-187

192
-207
-393
-37
-167

-104
-187
-424
-122
-179

1%
5%
5%
5%
5%

1%
5%
5%
5%
5%

-1
2
1 
1
-

-1
1
-
-2
-

3 
-13
-21
-2
-9

-
-10
-21
-4
-9

The group's external exposure is calculated as external 
financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies 
other than the functional currency of each legal entity, 
plus any external derivatives converted at group level 
into currency risk against DKK, i.e. EUR/DKK, USD/ DKK 
etc. The same also applies to the group's net internal 
exposure. The aggregate of the group's external and 
internal currency exposure is the net exposure, which is 
outlined in Table 4.1.2.b. 

Net foreign currency investments in subsidiaries, as well 
as instruments hedging those investments, are 
excluded. 

Risk
According to the treasury and funding policy, the 
Treasury department can hedge: 
•  Up to 15 months of the net forecasted cash receipts 

and payables 

•  Up to 100 per cent of net recognised trade receiva-

bles and trade payables. 

The currency exposure is continuously managed by the 
Treasury department. Individual currency exposures are 
hedged in accordance with the treasury and funding 
policy.

Financial instruments used to hedge the currency 
exposure do not necessarily need to qualify for hedge 
accounting, and hence some of the applied financial 
instruments, i.e. some option strategies, are accounted 
for as fair value through the income statement. 

Arla Foods amba's functional currency is DKK. However, 
the risk in relation to the EUR currency is assessed in the 
same manner as for DKK. The Executive Management 
Team has the discretion to decide if and when 
investments in foreign operations should be hedged 
(translation risks) with an obligation to inform the Board 
of Directors at the next meeting.

95 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.1 fiNANCiAL RiSKS

4.1.3 Interest rate risk

   Risk mitigation 

  LiMiTED HEDGiNG ACTiViTiES DUE TO DECREASED DEBT LEVELS

The average duration of the group's interest on 
interest-bearing debt, including derivatives but 
excluding pension liabilities, has increased by 1.0 to 3.6. 

The duration increased due to new interest rate hedges 
partly offset by a reduction in time to maturity of the 
remaining hedges.

Table 4.1.3 Sensitivity based on a 1 percentage point increase in interest rates
(EURm)

2021
Financial assets
Derivatives

Financial liabilities
Net interest-bearing debt  
excluding pension liabilities

2020
Financial assets
Derivatives
Financial liabilities
Net interest-bearing debt  
excluding pension liabilities

Potential  
accounting impact

Carrying 
amount

Sensitivity

Income
 statement

Other  
comprehen-
sive income

-536 
-

2,757 

2,221

-550
-
2,730

2,180

1%
1%

1%

1%
1%
1%

5 
6 

-12 

-1 

6 
5 
-13 

-2 

-1 
56 

-

55 

-1 
42 
-

41 

Risk
The group is exposed to interest rate risk on interest- 
bearing borrowings, pension liabilities, interest-bearing 
assets and on the value of non-current assets where an 
impairment test is performed. The risk is divided between 
profit exposure and exposure in comprehensive income. 
Profit exposure relates to net potential impairment 
of non-current assets. Other comprehensive income 
exposure relates to revaluation of net pension liabilities 
and interest hedging of future cash flows.

Fair value sensitivity 
A change in interest rates will impact the fair value of 
the group's interest-bearing assets, interest rate 
derivative instruments and debt instruments measured 
on a 1 per cent increase in interest rates. A decrease in 
the interest rate would have the opposite effect.

Cash flow sensitivity
A change in interest rates will impact interest rate 
payments on the group's unhedged floating rate debt. 
Table 4.1.3 shows the one-year cash flow sensitivity, 
depicting a 1 per cent increase in interest rates at 
31 December 2021. A decrease in the interest rate 
would have the opposite effect.

Policy 
Interest rate risk must be managed according to 
the treasury and funding policy. Interest rate risk 
is measured as the duration of the debt portfolio, 
including hedging instruments, but excluding pension 
liabilities.

Duration

3.6

2.6

1

7

2021

2020

Minimum

Maximum

Policy

How we act and operate
The purpose of interest rate hedging is to mitigate risk 
and secure relatively stable and predictable financing 
costs. The interest rate risk from net borrowing is 
managed by having an appropriate split between fixed 
and floating interest rates. 

The group actively uses derivatives to reduce risks 
related to fluctuations in the interest rate, and to 
manage the interest profile of the interest-bearing debt. 
By having a portfolio approach and using derivatives, the 
group can independently manage and optimise interest 

rate risk, as the interest rate profile can be changed 
without having to change the funding itself. This allows 
the group to operate in a fast, flexible and cost-efficient 
manner without changing underlying loan agreements. 

The mandate from the Board of Directors provides 
the group with the opportunity to use derivatives, 
such as interest rate swaps and options, in addition to 
interest conditions embedded in the loan agreements. 
During the year, the group has not traded in any 
options contracts.

 
 
96 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.1 fiNANCiAL RiSKS

4.1.4 Commodity price risk

   Risk mitigation 

Risk
The group is exposed to commodity risks related to the 
production and distribution of dairy products. Increased 
commodity prices negatively impact production and 
distribution costs.

Fair value sensitivity
A change in commodity prices will impact the fair 
value of the group's hedged commodity derivative 
instruments, measured through other comprehensive 
income and the unhedged energy consumption 
through the income statement. The table shows the 
sensitivity of a 25 per cent increase in commodity 
prices for both hedged and unhedged commodity 
purchases. A decrease in commodity prices would have 
the opposite effect.

Policy
According to the treasury and funding policy, the 
forecasted consumption of electricity, natural gas and 
diesel can be hedged for up to 36 months, of which 
100 per cent can be hedged for the first 18 months, 
with a limited proportion thereafter.

How we act and operate
Energy commodity price risks are managed by the 
Treasury department. Commodity price risks are mainly 
hedged by entering into financial derivative contracts, 
which are independent of the physical supplier 
contracts. Arla is also exploring other commodities 
relevant for financial risk management. 

Arla's energy exposure and hedging are managed as a 
portfolio across energy type and country. Not all energy 
commodities can be effectively hedged by matching 
the underlying costs, but Arla aims to minimise the 
basic risk. 

Dairy derivative markets in the EU, the US and 
New Zealand remain small but are evolving. The group 
has engaged in hedging activities for a small part of the 
group's dairy commodity trading volume. As the dairy 
derivative market develops, we expect this to play a role 
in managing fixed price contracts with customers in the 
coming years.

  DiffiCULT HEDGiNG CONDiTiONS iN A VOLATiLE MARKET 

Supply contracts are predominately related to a floating 
official price index. The Treasury department uses 
financial derivatives to hedge commodity price risk. 
This secures full flexibility to change suppliers without 
having to take future hedging into consideration. 

Hedging activities focus on the most significant risks, 
including electricity, natural gas and diesel. The total 
energy commodity spends, excluding taxes and 
distribution costs, amounted to approximately EUR 70 
million at the start of the year, and with the prices at 
31 December 2021 the total energy commodity spend 
has increased to EUR 350 million for 2022. 

The purpose of hedging is to reduce volatility in energy-
related costs. In 2021, hedging activities resulted in 
a gain of EUR 29 million compared to a loss of EUR 
15 million last year. However, the gain in 2021 was 
more than offset by significantly higher physical energy 
costs. The result of hedging activities, classified as hedge 
accounting, is recognised in other income and costs. 

At the end of 2021, 25 per cent of the energy spend for 
2022 was hedged. A 25 per cent increase in commodity 
prices would negatively impact profit by approximately 
EUR 66 million. Conversely, other comprehensive 
income would be positively impacted by EUR 14 million.

Table 4.1.4 Hedged commodities
(EURm)

2021
Diesel/natural gas
Electricity

2020
Diesel/natural gas
Electricity

Potential  
accounting impact

Sensitivity

Contract 
value

Income
 statement

Other  
compre hen-
sive income

25%
25%

25%
25%

15 
12 
27

2
-
2

-43 
-23 
-66

-7 
-4 
-11

7 
7 
14

6 
4 
10

 
97 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.1 fiNANCiAL RiSKS

4.1.5 Credit risk

    LiMiTED LOSSES 

In 2021, the group continued to experience very 
limited losses from defaulting counterparties such as 
customers, suppliers and financial counterparties. 

All major financial counterparties had satisfactory 
credit ratings at year-end. The Arla requirement is a 
credit rating of at least A-/A-/A3 from either S&P, Fitch 
or Moody's either for the financial counterparty or its 
parent company. In a small number of geographical 
locations which are not serviced by our relationship 
banks and where financial counterparties with a 
satisfying credit rating do not operate, the group 
deviated from the rating requirement. 

Further information on trade receivables is provided in 
Table 2.1.c. 

External rating of financial counterparties, 
2021

External rating of financial counterparties, 
2020

The maximum exposure to credit risk is approximately 
equal to the carrying amount. 

As in previous years, the group continuously worked 
with credit exposure and experienced a very low level of 
losses arising from customers. 

To manage the financial counterparty risk, the group 
uses master netting agreements when entering into 
derivative contracts. Table 4.1.5 shows the counterparty 
exposure for those agreements covered by entering 
into netting agreements that qualify for netting in case 
of default.

  AAA 67%
  BBB+ 9%

605

MILLION EUR

603

MILLION EUR

  AA- 3%
  Below investment grade 5%

  A+ 9%

  A 7%

  AAA 69%
  BBB+ 6%

  AA- 3%
  Below investment grade 7%

  A+ 11%

  A 4%

Table 4.1.5 External rating of financial counterparties
(EURm)

Counterparty rating

2021
Securities
Cash
Derivatives
Total

2020
Securities
Cash
Derivatives
Total

AAA

402
5
-
407 

415
-
-
415 

AA-

-
17
1
18 

-
10
9 
19

A+

-
14
39
53 

-
44
22
66 

Below 
investment 
grade

BBB+

32
24
0
56 

5
23
10
38 

-
30
1
31 

-
44
0
44 

A

-
7
33
40 

-
5
16
21 

Total

434
97
74
605 

420
126
57
603 

   Risk mitigation 

Risk
Credit risks arise from operating activities and 
engagement with financial counterparties. Furthermore, 
a weak counterparty credit quality can reduce their 
ability to support the group going forward, thereby 
jeopardising the fulfilment of our group strategy.

Policy
Counterparties are selected based on a relationship 
bank strategy. Financial counterparties must be 
approved by the Managing Directors and the CFO 
upon recommendation from our Treasury team. A 
counterparty (or its parent) to financial contracts and 
deposits must as a minimum have a long-term rating 
corresponding to A3 from Moody's, A- from S&P or 
A- from Fitch. If the group has only obtained credit 
from the counterparty, no rating is required. If the 
counterparty is rated by several credit rating agencies, 
an average is used, rounded up to the nearest notch. 

In geographies which are not properly covered by our 
relationship banks, the Treasury team may deviate from 
the counterparty requirement in this section.

How we act and operate
The group has an extensive credit risk policy and uses 
credit insurance and other trade financing products 
extensively in connection with exports. In certain 
emerging markets, it is not always possible to obtain 
credit coverage with the required rating; however, the 
group then seeks the best coverage available. The 
group has determined that this is an acceptable risk 
given the levels of investment in emerging markets. 

If a customer payment is late, internal procedures are 
followed to mitigate losses. The group uses a limited 
number of financial counterparties where credit ratings 
are monitored on an ongoing basis.

98 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.2 fiNANCiAL iTEMS

      LOwER iNTEREST EXpENSES OffSET By HiGHER EXCHANGE RATE LOSSES 

   Accounting policies

Capitalisation of interest was performed by using an 
interest rate matching the group's average external 
interest rate in 2021. Financial income and financial 
costs relating to financial assets and financial liabilities 
were recognised using the effective interest method.

Financial income and financial costs as well as 
capital gains and losses are recognised in the income 
statement at amounts that can be attributed to the year. 
Financial items comprise realised and unrealised value 
adjustments of securities and currency adjustments 
of financial assets and financial liabilities, as well 
as the interest portion of financial lease payments. 
Additionally, realised and unrealised gains and losses 
on derivatives not classified as hedging contracts are 
included. Borrowing costs from general borrowing, or 
loans that directly relate to the acquisition, construction 
or development of qualified assets are attributed to the 
costs of such assets and are therefore not included in 
financial costs.

Net financial costs decreased by EUR 11 million to EUR 
61 million mainly due to lower interest expenses, which 
were partly offset by higher exchange rate. 

Net interest expenses amounted to EUR 40 million, 
representing a decrease of EUR 14 million compared to 
last year due to the expiry of old interest hedges and 
new interest rate hedges at attractive interest rates. 

Average interest expenses, excluding interest related to 
pension assets and liabilities, were 1.8 per cent 
compared to 2.3 per cent last year. Interest cover 
increased to 23.7 compared to 17.0 last year. 

Exchange rate losses relate primarily to the devaluation 
of the Lebanese, Nigerian and Argentine currencies, 
which amounted to EUR 21 million.

Table 4.2 Financial income and financial costs
(EURm)

Financial income:
Interest securities, cash and cash equivalents
Fair value adjustments and other financial income
Total financial income

Financial costs
Interest on financial instruments measured at amortised cost
Net exchange rate losses
Interest on pension liabilities
Interest transferred to property, plant and equipment
Fair value adjustments and other financial costs
Total financial costs

Net financial costs

2021

2020

7 
7 
14 

-45 
-28 
-2 
7 
-7 
-75 

-61 

2 
5 
7 

-54 
-25 
-2 
8 
-6 
-79 

-72 

 
 
99 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.3 NET iNTEREST-BEARiNG DEBT

      INCREASED NET iNTEREST-BEARiNG DEBT

Net interest-bearing debt 
(EURm)

Net interest-bearing debt, excluding pension liabilities, 
increased to EUR 2,221 million compared to EUR 2,180 
million last year. 

Pension liabilities decreased by EUR 2 million to 
EUR 245 million. Net interest-bearing debt, including 
pension liabilities, amounted to EUR 2,466 million 
compared to EUR 2,427 million last year. The UK 
pension scheme net assets were EUR 55 million 
compared to EUR 40 million last year. These assets 
are excluded from the calculation of pension liabilities, 
net interest-bearing debt and leverage. 

Arla's leverage ratio was 2.6, a decrease of 0.1 
compared to last year. This was below the long-term 
target range of 2.8 to 3.4, underpinning a strong 
financial position. 

The average maturity of interest-bearing borrowings 
increased by 0.8 years to 5.8 years. Average maturity is 
impacted by new facilities and offset by a lapse of time 
to maturity and the level of net interest-bearing debt. 

The equity ratio increased to 37 per cent, compared to 
35 per cent last year. 

Funding
The group applies a diversified funding strategy to 
balance the liquidity and refinancing risk with the aim 
of achieving low financing costs. Major acquisitions or 
investments are funded separately. 

A diverse funding strategy includes diversification of 
markets, currencies, instruments, banks, lenders and 
maturities to secure broad access to funding and to 
ensure that the group is independent of one single 

funding partner or one single market. All funding 
opportunities are benchmarked against the three-
month EURIBOR rate, and derivatives are applied 
to match the currency of our funding needs. The 
interest profile is managed with interest rate swaps 
independently of the individual loans. 

The credit facilities contain financial covenants on 
equity/total assets and minimum equity, as well as 
standard non-financial covenants. The group did not 
default on or fail to fulfil any loan agreements in 2021. 

During Covid-19, governments offered different 
programmes to subsidise companies. However, the net 
effect on net interest-bearing debt is limited for the 
group. 

During 2021, the group had a limited need for new 
funding. The most significant funding activities during 
the year were: 
•  Five-year EUR 400 million ESG-linked revolving credit 

multi-bank facility 

•  Five-year bond issue of SEK 1,500 million 
•  Seven-year EUR 100 million credit facility from 

European Investment Bank

•  Arla has a commercial paper programme in Sweden 
denominated in SEK and EUR. The programme was 
unutilised at the end of the year due to a strong 
liquidity position. The average utilisation in 2021 was 
EUR 122 million 

•  During the year, Arla entered into sale and repurchase 

arrangements based on its holdings in listed 
AAA-rated Danish mortgage bonds. Refer to Note 4.6 
for more details.

Net interest-bearing debt consists of current and 
non-current liabilities, less interest-bearing assets. 
The definition of leverage is the ratio between net 
interest-bearing debt including pension liabilities and 
EBITDA, and expresses the group's capacity to service 
its debt. The group's long-term target range for 
leverage is between 2.8 and 3.4.

Leverage

2.6

2020: 2.7

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

2
4
9

2
4
7

2
4
5

2
7
7

2
2
0

,

1
6
3
6

2017

,

1
6
4
7

2018

,

2
1
1
3

2019

,

2
1
8
0

2020

,

2
2
2
1

2021

4

3

2

1

0

  Leverage
  Pension liabilities
  Net interest-bearing debt excluding pension liabilities
  Target range for leverage 2.8 - 3.4

Table 4.3.a Net interest-bearing debt
(EURm)

Long-term borrowings
Short-term borrowings
Securities, cash and cash equivalents
Other interest-bearing assets
Net interest-bearing debt excluding pension liabilities
Pension liabilities
Net interest-bearing debt including pension liabilities

2021

2020

2,113 
644 
-531 
-5 
2,221 
245 
2,466 

 1,964 
 766 
 -546 
 -4 
 2,180 
 247 
 2,427 

100 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.3 NET iNTEREST-BEARiNG DEBT

Table 4.3.b Borrowings
(EURm)

Long-term borrowings
Issued bonds
Mortgage credit institutions
Bank borrowings
Lease liabilities
Total long-term borrowings

Short-term borrowings
Issued bonds
Commercial papers
Mortgage credit institutions
Bank borrowings
Lease liabilities
Other current liabilities
Total short-term borrowings

Total interest-bearing borrowings

2021

2020

Table 4.3.c Cash flow, net interest-bearing debt
(EURm)

440 
1,021
478 
174 
2,113

299 
1,033 
455 
177 
1,964 

-
102 
11 
456 
59 
16 
644 

100 
-
9
531
56
70
766

2021
Pension liabilities
Long-term borrowings
Short-term borrowings
Total interest-bearing debt

UK pension assets
Securities and other  
interest-bearing assets
Cash
Net interest-bearing debt

Cash flow

Non-cash changes

Included in  
financing 
activities

1 January 

Additions Reclasses

Foreign 
exchange 
move-
ments

Fair value 
changes

31 
December 

247 
1,964 
766 
2,977 

-

-424 
-126 
2,427 

-14 
-
-48 
-62 

-17 

-12 
32 
-59 

-
46 
-
46 

-

-
-
46 

-
62 
-62 
-

16 

-
-
16 

-4 
24 
-12 
8 

4 

-3 
-3 
6 

16 
17 
-
33 

-1 

-
-
32 

245 
2,113 
644 
3,002 

-

-439 
-97 
2,466 

2,757

2,730

Long- and short-term borrowings payments of EUR -48 million (EUR 0 million and EUR -48 million, respectively) can be reconciled to 
the cash flow statement as new loans obtained (EUR 172 million), other changes in loans (EUR -147 million) and lease payments 
(EUR -73 million).

2020
Pension liabilities
Long-term borrowings
Short-term borrowings
Total interest-bearing debt
UK pension assets
Securities and other  
interest-bearing assets
Cash
Net interest-bearing debt

249 
1,951 
789 
2,989 
-

-440 
-187 
2,362 

-10 
-
-90 
-100 
-26 

17 
50 
-59 

-
70 
-
70 
-

-
-
70 

-84 
84 
-
25 

-
-
25 

7 
5 
-17 
-5 
2 

-2 
11 
6 

1 
22 
-
23 
-1 

1 
-
23 

247 
1,964 
766 
2,977 
-

-424 
-126 
2,427 

Long- and short-term borrowings payments of EUR 90 million (EUR 0 million and EUR 90 million, respectively) can be reconciled to 
the cash flow statement as new loans obtained of EUR 149 million, other changes in loans of EUR -173 million and lease payments 
of EUR -66 million.

101 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.3 NET iNTEREST-BEARiNG DEBT

Maturity of net interest-bearing debt excluding 
pension liabilities at December 2021 
(EURm)

Maturity of net interest-bearing debt excluding 
pension liabilities at December 2020 
(EURm)

Interest profile for net interest-bearing debt 
excluding pension liabilities at 31 December 2021 
(EURm)

Interest profile for net interest-bearing debt 
excluding pension liabilities at 31 December 2020 
(EURm)

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2400

1800

1200

600

0

2,400

1,800

1,200

600

0

0-1Y 1-2Y 2-3Y 3-4Y 4-5Y 5-6Y 6-7Y 7-10Y >10Y

0-1Y 1-2Y 2-3Y 3-4Y 4-5Y 5-6Y 6-7Y 7-10Y >10Y

1Y

2Y

3Y

4Y

5Y

6Y

7Y

10Y

1Y

2Y

3Y

4Y

5Y

6Y

7Y

10Y

  Unused committed facilities 

  Debt

  Floating 

  Fixed via swap 

  Fixed debt

Table 4.3.d Net interest-bearing debt excluding pension liabilities and the effect of hedging, maturity
(EURm)

2021
DKK
SEK
EUR
GBP
Other
Total

2020
DKK
SEK
EUR
GBP
Other
Total

Total
873 
572 
592 
43 
141 
2,221

Total
794
434 
782 
47 
123 
2,180

2022
20 
109 
5 
7 
-37 
104 

2021
-88 
108 
185 
6 
6 
217 

2023
26 
153 
207 
8 
48 
442 

2022
77 
6 
111 
8 
4 
206 

2024
55 
152 
108 
6 
116 
437 

2023
22 
155 
109 
7 
5 
298 

2025
94 
4 
4 
5 
7 
114 

2024
19 
154 
107 
5 
104 
389 

2026
56 
150 
3 
4 
3 
216 

2025
92 
4 
3 
4 
2 
105 

2027
55 
4 
4 
4 
4 
71 

2026
54 
7 
9 
4 
2 
76 

2029-
2031
202 
-
55 
4 
-
261 

2028-
2030
194
-
28 
4 
-
226

2028
61 
-
4 
3 
-
68 

2027
55 
-
2 
4 
-
61 

After 
2031
304 
-
202 
2 
-
508 

After 
2030
369 
-
228 
5 
-
602 

Table 4.3.e Currency profile of net interest-bearing debt excluding pension liabilities
(EURm)
Disclosed before and after the effect of derivatives

2021
DKK
SEK
EUR
GBP
Other
Total

2020
DKK
SEK
EUR
GBP
Other
Total

Original  
principal
873 
572 
592 
43 
141 
2,221 

Effect 
of swap
-
-586
64
522 
- 
 -

794
434 
782 
47 
123 
2,180

-
-581 
101 
480 
-
-

After  
swap
873 
-14 
656 
565 
141 
2,221 

794
-147 
883 
527 
123 
2,180

 
102 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.3 NET iNTEREST-BEARiNG DEBT

Table 4.3.f Interest rate risk excluding effect of hedging
(EURm)

Interest 
rate

Average
 interest  
rate

Fixed  
for

Carrying 
amount

Interest 
rate risk

Interest 
rate

Average
 interest  
rate

Fixed  
for

Carrying 
amount

Interest 
rate risk

2021
Issued bonds:
Commercial papers
SEK 750m maturing 03.07.2023
SEK 750m maturing 03.07.2023
SEK 750m maturing 03.04.2024
SEK 750mmaturing 03.04.2024
SEK 1,500m maturing 17.07.2026
Total issued bonds

Mortgages credit institutions:
Fixed-rate
Floating-rate
Total mortgage credit institutions

Bank borrowings:
Fixed-rate
Floating-rate
Total bank borrowings

Other borrowings:
Lease liabilities
Other borrowings
Total other borrowings

0-1 years
1-2 years
1-2 years
2-3 years
2-3 years
4-5 years

Fair value
Cash flow
Fair value
Fair value
Cash flow
Cash flow

102
74
73
73
74
146
542

2020
Issued bonds:
SEK 500m maturing 31.05.2021
SEK 500m maturing 31.05.2021
SEK 750m maturing 03.07.2023
SEK 750m maturing 03.04.2024
SEK 750m maturing 03.07.2023
SEK 750m maturing 03.04.2024
Total issued bonds

1-2 years
0-1 years

Fair value
Cash flow

97
935
1,032

Mortgages credit institutions:
Fixed-rate
Floating-rate
Total mortgage credit institutions

Fixed
Floating
Fixed
Fixed
Floating
Floating

Fixed
Floating

Fixed
Floating

 0.16%
1.14%
1.51%
1.58%
0.91%
0.60%
0.89%

0.25%
0.26%
0.26%

0.02%
0.61%
0.36%

0-1 years
0-1 years

Fair value
Cash flow

Cash flow
Cash flow

390
544
934

233
16
249

Bank borrowings:
Fixed-rate
Floating-rate
Total bank borrowings

Other borrowings:
Lease liabilities
Other borrowings
Total other borrowings

Fixed
Floating

3.18% 0-20 years
3.41%
0-1 years
3.19%

Floating
Fixed
Floating
Floating
Fixed
Fixed

Fixed
Floating

Fixed
Floating

1.60%
1.88%
0.91%
1.14%
1.51%
1.58%
1.40%

0.37%
0.43%
0.42%

0.02%
0.77%
0.46%

0-1 years
0-1 years
0-1 years
0-1 years
2-3 years
3-4 years

Cash flow
Fair value
Cash flow
Cash flow
Fair value
Fair value

50
50
75
75
74
75
399

1-2 years
0-1 years

Fair value
Cash flow

124
918
1,042

0-1 years
0-1 years

Fair value
Cash flow

Cash flow
Cash flow

404
582
986

233
70
303

FIxed
Floating

3.38% 0-20 years
3.69%
0-1 years
3.45%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
103 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.3 NET iNTEREST-BEARiNG DEBT

    Accounting policies

Financial instruments
Financial instruments are recognised at the date of 
trade. The group ceases to recognise financial assets 
when the contractual rights to the underlying cash 
flows either cease to exist or are transferred to the 
purchaser of the financial asset, and substantially all risk 
and reward related to ownership are also transferred to 
the purchaser.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, and the net 
amount is presented in the balance sheet when, and 
only when, the group obtains a legal right of offsetting 
and either intends to offset or settle the financial asset 
and the liability simultaneously.

Financial assets
Financial assets are classified at initial recognition and 
subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value 
through other comprehensive income or fair value 
through the income statement.

The classification of financial assets at initial recognition 
depends on the financial asset's contractual cash flow 
characteristics and how these are managed.

Financial assets where the group intends to collect the 
contractual cashflow are classified and measured at 
amortised cost.

Financial assets that are part of liquidity management 
are classified and measured at fair value through other 
comprehensive income. All other financial assets are 
classified and measured at fair value through the 
income statement.

Financial assets measured at amortised cost
Financial assets measured at amortised cost consist of 
readily available cash at bank and deposits, together 
with exchange-listed debt securities with an original 
maturity of three months or less, which have an 
insignificant risk of change in value and can be readily 
converted to cash or cash equivalents.

Financial assets measured at fair value  
through other comprehensive income
Financial assets measured at fair value through other 
comprehensive income consist of mortgage credit 
bonds, which correspond in part to raised mortgage 
debt.

Financial assets are measured on initial recognition at 
fair value plus transaction costs. The financial assets are 
subsequently measured at fair value with adjustments 
made in other comprehensive income and accumulated 
in the fair value reserve in equity.

Interest income, impairment and foreign currency 
translation adjustments of debt instruments are 
recognised in the income statement on a continuous 
basis under financial income and financial costs. In 
connection with the sale of financial assets classified 
at fair value through other comprehensive income, 
accumulated gains or losses, previously recognised in 
the fair value reserve, are recycled to financial income 
and financial costs.

Financial assets measured at fair value  
through profit or loss 
Securities classified at fair value through the income 
statement consist primarily of listed securities which  
are monitored, measured and reported continuously,  
in accordance with the group's treasury and funding 
policy. Changes in fair value are recognised in the 
income statement under financial income and financial 
costs.

Liabilities
Debt to mortgage credit and credit institutions, as well 
as issued bonds, are measured at the trade date upon 
first recognition at fair value plus transaction costs.
Subsequently, liabilities are measured at amortised cost 
with the difference between loan proceeds and the 
nominal value recognised in the income statement 
over the expected life of the loan.

Capitalised residual lease obligations related to leases 
are recognised under liabilities and measured at 
amortised cost. Other financial liabilities are measured 
at amortised cost. For details on pension liabilities, refer 
to Note 4.7.

 
104 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.4 DERiVATiVES

Hedging of future cash flows 
The group uses forward currency to hedge currency 
risks on expected future net revenue and costs. Interest 
rate swaps are used to hedge risks against movements 
in expected future interest payments, and commodity 
swaps are used for energy hedging. 

Fair value of hedge instruments not qualifying for 
hedge accounting (financial hedge) 
The group uses currency options which hedge 
forecasted sales and purchases. Some of these options 
do not qualify for hedge accounting and the fair value 
adjustment is therefore recognised directly in the 
income statement. 

Currency swaps are used as part of the daily liquidity 
management. The objective of the currency swaps is to 
match the timing of in- and outflow of foreign currency 
cash flows.

Table 4.4.b Value adjustment of hedging instruments
(EURm)

Deferred gains and losses on cash flow hedges arising during the year
Value adjustments of hedging instruments reclassified to other operating income and costs
Value adjustments of hedging instruments reclassified to financial items
Total value adjustment of hedging instruments recognised in  
other comprehensive income during the year

2021

2020

12
3 
24

39

38 
-5 
8 

41 

Table 4.4.a Hedging of future cash flows from highly probable forecast transactions 
(EURm)

    Accounting policies

2021
Currency contracts
Interest rate contracts
Commodity contracts
Hedging of future cash flow

2020
Currency contracts
Interest rate contracts
Commodity contracts
Hedging of future cash flow

Carrying 
value

-17 
-24 
27 
-14 

Carrying 
value

11 
-66 
2 
-53 

Expected recognition  
in income statement

Fair value  
recognised  
in OCI

2022

2023

2024

2025

-17 
-24 
27 
-14 

-17 
-8 
26 
1 

-
-6 
1 
-5 

-
-
-
-

-
1 
-
1 

Expected recognition  
in income statement

Fair value  
recognised  
in OCI

2021

2022

2023

2024

11 
-66 
2 
-53 

11 
-11 
1 
1 

-
-10 
1 
-9 

-
-9 
-
-9 

-
-8 
-
-8 

After 
2025

-
-11 
-
-11 

After 
2024

-
-28 
-
-28 

Derivatives are recognised from the trade date and 
measured in the financial statements at fair value. 
Positive and negative fair values of derivatives are 
recognised as separate items in the balance sheet.

Fair value hedging
Changes in the fair value of derivatives which meet the 
criteria for hedging the fair value of recognised assets 
and liabilities, are recognised alongside changes in the 
value of the hedged asset or the hedged liability for the 
portion that is hedged.

Cash flow hedging
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are 
classified as hedges of future cash flows and effectively 
hedge changes in future cash flows, are recognised in 

other comprehensive income as a reserve for hedging 
transactions under equity until the hedged cash 
flows impact the income statement. The reserve for 
hedging instruments under equity is presented net 
of tax. The cumulative gains or losses from hedging 
transactions that are retained in equity are reclassified 
and recognised under the same item as the basic 
adjustment for the hedged item. The accumulated 
change in value recognised in other comprehensive 
income is recycled to the income statement once the 
hedged cash flows affect the income statement or 
are no longer likely to be realised. For derivatives that 
do not meet the criteria for classification as hedging 
instruments, changes in fair value are recognised as 
they occur in the income statement, under financial 
income and costs.

105 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.5 fiNANCiAL iNSTRUMENTS

Table 4.5.a Categories of financial instruments
(EURm)

2021

2020

Table 4.5.b Fair value hierarchy – carrying amount
(EURm)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Derivatives
Shares
Financial assets measured at fair value through the income statement

Securities
Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

Currency instruments
Interest rate instruments
Commodity instruments
Derivative assets used as hedging instruments

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Cash
Financial assets measured at amortised cost

Derivatives
Financial liabilities measured at fair value through the income statement

Currency instruments
Interest rate instruments
Commodity instruments
Derivative liabilities used as hedging instruments

Long-term borrowings*
Short-term borrowings* 
Trade payables and other payables
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

*Including lease liabilities

22 
9 
31 

434 
434 

2 
22 
28 
52 

38 
9 
47 

420 
420 

14 
1 
4 
19 

2021
Bonds
Shares
Derivatives
Total financial assets

Issued bonds
Mortgage credit institutions
Derivatives
Total financial liabilities

1,007 
285 
97 
1,389 

811 
424
-
1,235

2020
Bonds
Shares
Derivatives
Total financial assets

Issued bonds
Mortgage credit institutions
Derivatives
Total financial liabilities

44 
44 

19 
22 
1 
42 

19 
19 

3 
42 
2 
47 

2,113 
644 
1,445
4,202

1,964 
766 
1,212 
3,942 

434 
9 
-
443 

-
1,032 
-
1,032 

420 
9 
-
429 

-
1,042 
-
1,042 

-
-
74 
74 

440 

86 
526 

-
-
57 
57 

399 
-
66 
465 

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

434 
9 
74 
517 

440 
1,032 
86 
1,558 

420 
9 
57 
486 

399 
1,.042 
66 
1,507 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
106 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.5 fiNANCiAL iNSTRUMENTS

Funding
4.6 SALE AND REpURCHASE AGREEMENTS

   Risk mitigation 

      ATTRACTiVE fUNDiNG ARRANGEMENT

Methods and assumptions applied when measuring fair 
values of financial instruments: 

Bonds and shares
The fair value is determined using the quoted prices in 
an active market. 

Non-option derivatives
The fair value is calculated using discounted cash flow 
models and observable market data. The fair value is 
determined as a termination price and, consequently, 
the value is not adjusted for credit risks. 

Option instruments
The fair value is calculated using option models and 
observable market data, such as option volatilities. 
The fair value is determined as a termination price and, 
consequently, the value is not adjusted for credit risks. 

Fair value hierarchy
Level 1: Fair values measured using unadjusted  
quoted prices in an active market 
Level 2: Fair values measured using valuation 
techniques and observable market data 
Level 3: Fair values measured using valuation 
techniques and observable as well as significant 
non-observable market data.

The group has invested in listed Danish mortgage 
bonds underlying its mortgage debt. By entering into 
a sale and repurchase agreement on the mortgage 
bonds, the group is able to archieve a lower interest rate 
compared to current market interest rates on mortgage 
debt. The mortgage bonds are measured at fair value 
through other comprehensive income. 

The proceeds from these bonds create a repurchase 
obligation which is recognised in short-term borrowings. 

In addition to mortgage bonds, the group holds other 
securities with a carrying amount of EUR 5 million.

Table 4.6 Transfer of financial assets
(EURm)

2021
Mortgage bonds
Repurchase liabilities
Net position

2020
Mortgage bonds
Repurchase liabilities
Net position

Carrying 
value

Notional 
amount

398 
-385 
13 

409 
-398 
11 

394 
-387 
7 

405 
-397 
8 

Fair 
value

398 
-385 
13 

409 
-398 
11 

 
107 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.7 pENSiON LiABiLiTiES

      NET pENSiON LiABiLiTiES DOwN EUR 31 MiLLiON fROM pREVIOUS yEAR 

Table 4.7.a Pension liabilities recognised in the balance sheet
(EURm)

The group's pension assets and liabilities consist primarily 
of defined benefit plans in Sweden and the UK. 

The group also operates defined contribution plans for 
employees. For these defined contribution plans, the 
group is not subject to the same investment, interest 
rate, inflation or longevity risks as it is for the defined 
benefit plans. The benefits that employees receive 
are dependent on the contribution paid, investment 
returns, and the form of benefit chosen at retirement.

Pension plans in Sweden
The recognised net pension liability in Sweden was 
EUR 225 million at 31 December 2021, an increase of 
EUR 4 million compared to the previous year.

The defined benefit plan does not currently require the 
group to make further cash contributions. These 
pension plans are contribution-based plans, guaranteeing 
a defined benefit pension at retirement. The plan assets 
are legally structured as a trust, and the group has 
control over the operation of the plan and the 
associated investments.

These pension plans do not include a risk-sharing 
element between the group and the plan participants.

Pension plans in the UK
The recognised net pension asset in the UK was 
EUR 69 million at 31 December 2021, an increase of 
EUR 29 million compared to the previous year. The 
increase can mainly be attributed to contributions to 
the plan by Arla of EUR 17 million during the year and 
actuarial gains of EUR 54 million, offset by a reduction 
in the fair value of plan assets of EUR 46 million.

The defined benefit plan in the UK is a defined benefit 
final salary scheme. The plan is closed to both new 
entrants and future accruals. The plan is a registered 
pension scheme, and the assets are held in legally 
separate, trustee-administered funds. The trustees 
of the plan are required by law to act in the best 
interests of the plan participants while at the same time 

administering the plan in accordance with the purpose 
for which the trust was created, and is responsible for 
drawing up the investment, funding and governance 
policies. A representative of the group attends trustee 
meetings to provide the group's view on the investment 
strategy, but the ultimate power lies with the trustees. 

During the reporting period, the trustees of the plan 
entered into a buy-in policy with Aviva Life & Pensions 
UK Limited that provides insurance for 25 per cent 
of the pension liabilities. According to the policy, 
payments that are exactly equal to the benefits paid 
to the insured population, are made to the plan. This 
has removed all investment, interest rate, inflation and 
longevity risks in respect of these members. The value 
of the annuity policy is determined using the disclosed 
assumptions used for valuing the liabilities and is equal 
to the accounting liabilities of the insured pensioner 
population.

Employer contributions are determined based on the 
advice of independent qualified actuary on the basis 
of triennial valuation negotiations between the plan 
and Arla and ultimately approved by HRM Pensions 
Regulator. The next triennial valuation will be carried 
out as at 31 December 2023. The most recent full 
actuarial valuation of the plan was carried out as at 
31 December 2019. The valuation indicated that, 
on the agreed funding basis, the plan had a deficit of 
GBP 22 million. To meet this deficit, the group agreed 
to pay annual contributions of GBP 13 million until 
March 2021. The next valuation will be carried out as 
at 31 December 2022.

The results of the 2019 actuarial valuation have been 
used and updated for IAS19 'Employee benefits' 
purposes by a qualified independent actuary. The plan 
exposes the group to inflation risk, interest rate risk and 
market investment risk, as well as longevity risk.

Defined contribution plans are in place for other 
employees. Contributions are made both by Arla and 
the employee at a rate determined by Arla. 

2021
Present value of funded liabilities
Fair value of plan assets 
Deficit of funded plans
Present value of unfunded liabilities
Net pension liabilities recognised in the balance sheet

Specification of total liabilities:
Present value of funded liabilities
Present value of unfunded liabilities
Total liabilities

Presented as: 
Pension assets
Pension liabilities
Net pension liabilities

2020
Present value of funded liabilities
Fair value of plan assets 
Deficit of funded plans
Present value of unfunded liabilities
Net pension liabilities recognised in the balance sheet

Specification of total liabilities:
Present value of funded liabilities
Present value of unfunded liabilities
Total liabilities

Presented as: 
Pension assets
Pension liabilities
Net pension liabilities

Sweden

UK

Other

Total

235 
-13 
222 
3 
225 

235 
3 
238 

-
225 
225 

231 
-13 
218 
3 
221 

231 
3 
234 

-
221 
221 

1,473 
-1,542 
-69 
-
-69 

1,473 
-
1,473 

-69 
-
-69 

1,456 
-1,496 
-40 
-
-40 

1,456 
-
1,456 

-40 
-
-40 

44 
-26 
18 
2 
20 

44 
2 
46 

-
20 
20 

49 
-29 
20 
6 
26 

49 
6 
55 

-
26 
26 

1,752 
-1,581 
171 
5 
176 

1,752 
5 
1,757

-69 
245 
176 

1,736 
-1,538 
198 
9 
207 

1,736 
9 
1,745 

-40 
247 
207 

108 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.7 pENSiON LiABiLiTiES

Table 4.7.b Development in pension liabilities
(EURm)

2021

2020

Table 4.7.c Development in fair value of plan assets
(EURm)

Present value of liabilities at 1 January
Current service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial gains and losses from changes in financial assumptions (OCI)
Actuarial gains and losses from changes in demographic assumptions (OCI)
Benefits paid
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Present value of pension liabilities at 31 December

1,745
5
23
-44
-
-74
102
1,757

1,708 
4 
30 
153
-17
-63 
-70
1,745

Fair value of plan assets at 1 January 
Interest income
Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in net interest  
on the net defined benefit liability
Contributions to plans
Benefits paid
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Fair value of plan assets at 31 December

Maturity of pension liabilities, at 31 December 2021 
(EURm)

Maturity of pension liabilities, at 31 December 2020 
(EURm)

Actual return on plan assets:
Calculated interest income
Return excluding calculated interest
Actual return

2021

2020

1,538
21

-47
17
60
112
1,581

21
-47
-26

1,475 
28 

141 
26 
-53 
-79
1,538 

28 
141 
169 

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

0-1Y

1-5Y

5-10Y 10-20Y 20-30Y 30-40Y >40Y

0-1Y

1-5Y

5-10Y 10-20Y 20-30Y 30-40Y >40Y

  UK 

  Sweden 

  Other 

The group expects to contribute EUR 13 million to the plan assets in 2022 and EUR 48 million in 2023-2026.

Table 4.7.d Specification of plan assets
(EURm)

Liability hedge portfolio
Annuity policies
Debt vehicles
Bonds
Equity instruments
Properties 
Infrastructure
Other assets
Fair value of plan assets at 31 December

2021

%

2020

%

 289 
 321 
 440 
 168 
 52 
 134 
 74 
 103 
 1,581 

18
20
28
11
3
8
5
7
100

 485 
-
 434 
 208 
 116 
 126 
 69 
 100 
 1,538 

32
-
28
14
8
8
4
7
100

109 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.7 pENSiON LiABiLiTiES

   Plan asset investment 

Plan assets generate returns that are used to satisfy 
the plan liabilities. They are not necessarily intended 
to be realised in the short term. The trustees invest 
in different categories of assets and with different 
allocations among those categories, according to the 
plan investment principles.

Currently, the plan investment strategy is to maintain 
a balance of growth assets (equities, property and 
infrastructure), income assets (comprising credit 
investments and corporate bonds) and matching assets 
(comprising a liability hedge portfolio and a buy-in 
annuity policy), with a weighting towards matching 
assets. There are no direct investments in the group.

Part of the investment objective is to minimise 
fluctuations in the plan's funding levels due to changes 
in the value of the liabilities. This is primarily achieved 

Table 4.7.e Assumptions for the actuarial calculations

using a Liability Driven Investment (LDI) portfolio, the 
main goal of which is to align movements in the value 
of the assets with movements in the liabilities caused 
by changes in market conditions. The plan has hedging 
that covers the majority of interest rate and inflation 
movements, as measured based on the trustees' 
funding assumptions which use a discount rate derived 
from gilt yields. 

LDI primarily involves the use of government bonds. 
Derivatives such as interest rate and inflation swaps are 
also used. There are no annuities or longevity swaps in 
the LDI portfolios. The value of the LDI assets is 
determined based on the latest market bid price for the 
underlying investments, which are traded daily on liquid 
markets.

Discount rate assumptions
Discount rate, Sweden
Discount rate, UK

Inflation assumptions
Inflation (CPI), Sweden
Inflation (CPI), UK

Mortality assumptions
Life expectancy at age 65 for a:
Male in the UK
Female in the UK
Male in Sweden
Female in Sweden

2021
%

2020
%

1.7
1.9

2.1
2.7

21.0
23.0
22.0
24.0

1.3
1.4

1.5
2.1

20.9
23.0
22.0
24.0

Table 4.7.f Sensitivity of pension liabilities to key assumptions 
(EURm)

Impact on pension liabilities at 31 December
Discount rate +/- 10bps
Expected salary increases +/- 10bps
Life expectancy +/- 1 year
Inflation +/- 10 bps

2021
+
-26 
2 
82 
16 

2021
-
26
-2
-82
-16

2020
+
-28 
3 
84 
17 

2020
-
28 
-3 
-84 
-17 

110 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Funding
4.7 pENSiON LiABiLiTiES

Table 4.7.g Recognised in the income statement
(EURm)

2021

2020

    Accounting policies

Current service costs
Administration costs
Recognised as staff costs

Interest costs on pension liabilities
Interest income on plan assets
Recognised as financial costs

Total amount recognised in the income statement

Table 4.7.h Recognised in other comprehensive income 
(EURm)

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans
Actuarial gains and losses on liabilities from changes in financial assumptions (OCI)
Actuarial gains and losses on liabilities from changes  
in demographic assumptions (OCI)
Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in net interest  
on the net defined benefit liability
Total amount recognised in other comprehensive income

5
-
5

23
-21
2

7

4 
-
4

30
-28
2

6

2021

2020

44

-

-47
-3

-153

17

141 
5 

Pension liabilities and similar non-current liabilities
The group has post-employment pension plan 
arrangements with a significant number of current and 
former employees. The post-employment pension plan 
agreements take the form of defined benefit plans and 
defined contribution plans.

Defined contribution plans
For defined contribution plans, the group pays fixed 
contributions to independent pension companies.  
The group has no obligation to make supplementary 
payments beyond those fixed payments, and the 
risk and reward of the value of the pension plan 
therefore rests with plan members, and not the 
group. Contributions to defined contribution plans 
are expensed in the income statement as incurred.

Defined benefit plans
Defined benefit plans are characterised by the group's 
obligation to make specific payments from the date the 
plan member is retired, depending on, for example, the 
member's seniority and final salary. The group is subject 
to the risks and rewards associated with the uncertainty 
whether the return generated by the assets will meet 
the pension liability, which are affected by assumptions 
concerning mortality and inflation.

The group's net liability is the amount presented in the 
balance sheet as pension liability.

The net liability is calculated separately for each defined 
benefit plan. The net liability is the amount of future 
pension benefits that employees have earned in current 
and prior periods (i.e. the liability for pension payments 
for the portion of the employee's estimated final salary 
earned at the balance sheet date) discounted to a 
present value (the defined benefit liability), less the fair 
value of assets held separately from the group in
a plan fund.

The group uses qualified actuaries to annually calculate 
the defined benefit liability using the projected unit 
credit method.

The balance sheet amount of the net liability is 
impacted by remeasurement, which includes the 
effect of changes in assumptions used to calculate 
the future liability (actuarial gain and losses) and 
the return generated on plan assets (excluding 
interest). Remeasurements are recognised in other 
comprehensive income.

Interest cost for the period is calculated using the 
discounted rate used to measure the defined benefit 
liability at the start of the reporting period applied 
to the carrying amount of the net liability, taking into 
account changes arising from contributions and benefit 
payments. The net interest cost and other costs relating 
to defined benefit plans are recognised in the income 
statement. The net liability primarily covers defined 
benefit plans in the UK and Sweden.

  Uncertainties and estimates

The defined benefit liability is assessed based on a 
number of assumptions, including discount rates, 
inflation rates, salary growth and mortality. A small 

difference in actual variables compared to assumptions 
and any changes in assumptions can have a significant 
impact on the net position.

111 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Other areas
5.1 TAX

      CURRENT AND DEfERRED TAX

Tax in the income statement 
Tax costs increased to EUR 61 million compared to 
EUR 34 million last year, primarily due to an increase in 
deferred tax costs.

Current income tax
Cost related to current income taxes increased to 
EUR 44 million compared to EUR 35 million last year, 
mainly due to adjustments to current taxes of previous 
years, partially offset by deferred tax movements from 
previous years.

Deferred tax
Net deferred tax liabilities amounted to EUR 43 million, 
representing an increase of EUR 8 million compared 
to last year. Out of the net movements, EUR 17 million 
impacted the income statement and EUR 9 million in 
offsetting movements impacted the balance sheet. 
The impact of changes in tax rates and laws is primarily 
a result of the UK income tax rate change announced 
and enacted in 2021.

Net deferred tax liabilities consisted of gross deferred 
tax liabilities of EUR 64 million relating to temporary 
differences on intangible assets, pension liabilities and 
other items. These were offset by deferred tax assets of 
EUR 21 million relating to property, plant and 
equipment and tax losses carried forward.

Table 5.1.a Tax recognised in the income statement
(EURm)

2021

2020

Current income tax
Current income tax on net/profit for the year relating to:
Cooperative tax
Income tax
Adjustment for current tax of previous years
Total current income tax costs

Deferred tax
Change in deferred tax for the year
Adjustment for deferred tax of previous years
Impact of changes in tax rates and laws
Total deferred tax costs/income

Total tax costs in the income statement

10 
28 
6 
44 

10 
-4 
11 
17 

61 

9 
26 
-
35 

-
-2 
1 
-1

34

Table 5.1.b Calculation of effective tax rate
(EURm)

2021

2020

%

EURm

%

EURm

Profit before tax
Tax applying the statutory Danish income tax rate
Effect of tax rates in other jurisdictions
Effect of companies subject to cooperative taxation
Tax-exempt income, less non-deductible expenses
Impact of changes in tax rates and laws
Adjustment for tax cost of previous years
Other adjustments
Total

Table 5.1.c Deferred tax assets and liabilities
(EURm)

Net deferred tax asset/(liability) at 1 January
Deferred tax recognised in the income statement
Deferred tax recognised in other comprehensive income
Impact of change in tax rates
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Net deferred tax asset/(liability) at 31 December

Deferred tax, by gross temporary difference
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Provisions, pension liabilities and other assets
Tax losses carried forward
Other
Total deferred tax, by gross temporary difference

Recognised in the balance sheet as:
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Total

22.0
-2.0
-4.9
-1.5
2.7
0.5
-1.8
15.0

89 
-8 
-20 
-6 
11 
2 
-7 
61 

22.0
-1.8
-8.8
-0.5
0.2
-0.5
-1.8
8.8

386 
85 
-7 
-34 
-2 
1 
-2 
-7
34

2021

2020

-35 
-6 
9 
-11 
-
-43 

-7 
29 
-33 
7 
-39 
-43 

21 
-64 
-43 

-38 
2
4 
-1 
-2 
-35

-9 
22 
-21 
9 
-36
-35

29 
-64
-35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
112 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Other areas
5.1 TAX

5.2 pROViSiONS

The group recognises deferred tax assets, including the 
value of tax losses carried forward, where management 
assesses that the tax assets may be utilised in the 
foreseeable future by offsetting against taxable income. 
The assessment is performed on an annual basis and is 
based on the budgets and business plans for future years. 

The group recognised deferred tax assets in respect of 
tax losses carried forward in the amount of EUR 7 million. 
Temporary differences on which deferred tax assets 
have not been recognised totalled EUR 32 million, 
which is on a level similar to last year. Unrecognised 
deferred tax assets relate to tax losses carried forward.

    Accounting policies

Tax in the income statement 
Tax in the income statement comprises current tax and 
adjustments to deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the 
income statement, except to the extent that it relates to  
a business combination or items (income or costs) 
recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

Current tax
Current tax is assessed based on tax legislation for 
entities in the group subject to cooperative or income 
taxation. Cooperative taxation is based on the capital 
of the cooperative, while income tax is assessed based 
on the company's taxable income for the year. Current 
tax liabilities comprises the expected tax payable/
receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, 
any adjustment to the tax payable or receivable in 
respect of previous years and tax paid on account. 
Current tax liabilities are disclosed as part of Other 
current liabilities.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax is measured in accordance with the 
balance sheet liability method for all temporary 
differences between the tax base of assets and liabilities 
and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial 
statements. However, deferred tax is not recognised on 
temporary differences on initial recognition of goodwill, 
or arising at the acquisition date of an asset or liability 
without affecting either the profit or loss for the year 
or taxable income, except for those arising from M&A 
activities.

Deferred tax is determined by applying tax rates (and 
laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted 
by the end of the reporting period and that are expected 
to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised 

or the deferred tax liability is settled. Changes in deferred 
tax assets and liabilities due to changes in the tax rate 
are recognised in the income statement except for items 
recognised in other comprehensive income.

Deferred tax assets, including the value of tax losses 
carried forward, are recognised under other non-current 
assets at the value at which they are expected to be 
used, either by elimination in the tax of future earnings or 
by offsetting against deferred tax payable in companies 
within the same legal tax entity or jurisdiction.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there 
is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets 
and liabilities and when the deferred tax balances relate 
to the same taxation authority. Current tax assets and 
tax liabilities are offset where the entity has a legally 
enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle 
on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the 
liability simultaneously.

  Uncertainties and estimates 

Deferred tax
Deferred tax reflects assessments of actual future tax 
due on items in the financial statements, considering 
timing and probability. These estimates also reflect 
expectations about future taxable profits. Actual future 
taxes may deviate from these estimates due to changes 
to expectations relating to future taxable income, future 
statutory changes in income taxation or the outcome 
of tax authorities' final review of the group's tax returns. 
Recognition of a deferred tax asset also depends on an 
assessment of the future use of the asset.

       pROViSiONS

  Uncertainties and estimates 

Provisions amounted to EUR 42 million in 2021, 
compared to EUR 46 million last year. Provisions 
primarily relate to provisions for insurance incidents 
that have occurred, but have not yet been settled.

Provisions are particularly associated with estimates on 
insurance provisions. Insurance provisions are assessed 
based on historical records of, among other things, 
the number of insurance events and related costs 
considered. The scope and extent of onerous contracts 
are also estimated.

Table 5.2 Provisions
(EURm)

Insurance 
provisions

Restructuring 
provisions

Other 
provisions

Total
2021

 Total
2020

2021
Provisions at 1 January
New provisions during the year
Used during the year
Total provisions 31 December
Non-current provisions 
Current provisions 
Total provisions 31 December

20
1
-7
14
4
10
14

10
-
-7
3
-
3
3

16
9
-
25
20
5
25

46
10
-14
42
24
18
42

32
19
-5
46
21
25
46

5.3 fEES TO AUDiTORS AppOiNTED  
By THE BOARD Of REpRESENTATiVES

      fEES pAiD TO Ey

The fees to auditors are attributable to EY.

Table 5.3 Fees to auditors appointed by the Board of Representatives
(EURm)

Statutory audit
Other assurance engagements
Tax assistance
Other services
Total fees to auditors

2021

2020

1.6 
0.3 
0.4 
0.5 
2.8 

1.5 
0.2 
0.6 
0.4 
2.7 

113 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Other areas
5.4 MANAGEMENT REMUNERATiON AND  
TRANSACTiONS wiTH RELATED pARTiES

      REMUNERATiON pAiD TO MANAGEMENT

The remuneration to the 18 registered members of 
the Board of Directors (BoD) is assessed and adjusted 
on a bi-annual basis and approved by the Board of 
Representatives. The BoD's remuneration was most 
recently adjusted in 2019. Principles applied to the 
remuneration of the BoD are described on page 47. 
Members of the Board are paid for milk supplies to Arla 
Foods amba, in accordance with the same terms as 
apply to the other owners. Similarly, individual capital 
instruments are issued to the BoD on the same terms as 
apply to other owners. 

The Executive Board consists of Chief Executive 
Officer Peder Tuborgh and Chief Commercial Officer, 
Europe, Peter Giørtz-Carlsen. Principles applied for the 
remuneration of the Executive Board are described on 
page 47.

Table 5.4.b Transactions with the Board of Directors 
(EURm)

Purchase of raw milk
Supplementary payment regarding previous years
Total

Unsettled milk deliveries recognised in trade and other payables
Individual capital instruments
Total

Refer to Note 3.3 for information on transactions with associates and joint ventures.

2021

2020

27.4 
1.4 
28.8 

2.6 
2.9 
5.5 

26.5 
0.8 
27.3 

1.5 
2.6 
4.1

Table 5.4.a Management remuneration
(EURm)

Board of Directors
Wages, salaries and remuneration
Total

Executive Board 
Fixed compensation
Pension
Short-term variable incentives
Long-term variable incentives
Total 

The above table includes accrued amounts related to the respective reporting period. The amounts are based on 
reported key figures together with estimates of performance compared to peers, which means that the final future 
payout may differ.

2021

2020

5.5 CONTRACTUAL COMMiTMENTS,  
CONTiNGENT ASSETS AND LiABiLiTiES

1.3 
1.3 

2.4 
0.3 
0.8 
2.9 
6.4 

1.3 
1.3 

2.4 
0.3 
1.4
4.7
8.8

      CONTRACTUAL OBLiGATiONS AND COMMiTMENTS

Arla's contractual obligations and commitments 
amounted to EUR 370 million compared to 
EUR 364 million last year. The development was 
caused by increased surety and guarantee obligations 
and less commitments relating to property, plant and 
equipment purchase agreements.

Contractual obligations and commitments consisted of 
surety and guarantee obligations, IT licences, short-term 
and low-value leases and commitments relating to 
property, plant and equipment purchase agreements.

The group provided security upon property for mortgage 
debt based on the Danish Mortgage Act with a nominal 
value of EUR 1,040 million, compared to EUR 1,061 
million last year.

The group is party to a small number of lawsuits, 
disputes and other claims. The management assesses 
that the outcome of these will not have a material 
impact on the group's financial position beyond 
what has already been recognised in the financial 
statements.

5.6 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS AfTER  
THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

No subsequent events with a material impact on the financial statements occurred after the balance sheet date.

 
 
 
 
 
 
114 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Other areas
5.7 GENERAL ACCOUNTiNG pOLiCiES

Basis for preparation
The consolidated financial statements included in 
this annual report are prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), 
as adopted by the EU, and additional disclosure 
requirements in the Danish Financial Statements 
Act for large companies in class C. Arla is not an 
EU public interest entity as the group has no debt 
instruments traded on a regulated EU market place. 
The consolidated financial statements were authorised 
for issue by the company's Board of Directors on 
9 February 2022 and presented for approval by the 
Board of Representatives on 23 February 2022.

The functional currency of the parent company is DKK. 
The presentation currency of the parent company and 
of the group is EUR.

These financial statements are prepared in million EUR 
with roundings.

Consolidated financial statements
The consolidated financial statements are prepared 
as a compilation of the parent company's and the 
individual subsidiaries' financial statements, in line with 
the group's accounting policies. Revenue, costs, assets 
and liabilities, along with items included in the equity 
of subsidiaries, are aggregated and presented on a line-
by-line basis. Intra-group shareholdings, balances and 
transactions as well as unrealised income and expenses 
arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated.

The consolidated financial statements comprise Arla 
Foods amba (parent company) and the subsidiaries in 
which the parent company directly or indirectly holds 
more than 50 per cent of the voting rights, or otherwise 
maintains control to obtain benefits from its activities. 
Entities in which the group exercises joint control 
through a contractual arrangement are considered to 
be joint ventures. Entities in which the group exercises a 
significant but not a controlling influence, are considered 
associates. A significant influence is typically obtained 
by holding or having at the group's disposal, directly or 
indirectly, more than 20 per cent, but less than 50 per 
cent, of the voting rights in an entity.

Unrealised gains arising from transactions with joint 
ventures and associates, i.e. profits from sales to joint 
ventures or associates and whereby the customer pays 
with funds partly owned by the group, are eliminated 
against the carrying amount of the investment in 
proportion to the group's interest in the company. 
Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same manner,  
but only to the extent that there is no evidence of 
impairment.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on  
a historical cost basis, except for certain items with 
alternative measurement bases, which are identified 
in these accounting policies. Some reclassifications 
have been carried out compared to previously. These, 
however, have no impact on the net profit or loss or 
the equity.

Translation of transactions and  
monetary items in foreign currencies
For each reporting entity in the group, a functional 
currency is determined, being the currency used in 
the primary economic environment where the entity 
operates. Where a reporting entity has transactions in 
a foreign currency, it will record the transaction in its 
functional currency using the transaction date rate. 
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies are translated into the functional currency 
using the exchange rate applicable at the reporting 
date. Exchange rate differences are recognised in the 
income statement under financial items. Non-monetary 
items, for example property, plant and equipment, 
which are measured based on historical cost in a foreign 
currency, are translated into the functional currency 
upon initial recognition.

Translation of foreign operations 
The assets and liabilities of consolidated entities, 
including the share of net assets and goodwill of joint 
ventures and associates with a functional currency 
other than EUR, are translated into EUR using the 
year-end exchange rate. The revenue, costs and share 
of the net profit or loss for the year are translated 
into EUR using the average monthly exchange rate 
if this does not differ materially from the transaction 
date rate. Exchange rate differences are recognised in 
other comprehensive income and accumulated in the 
translation reserve.

On partial divestment of associates and joint ventures, 
the relevant proportional amount of the cumulative 
foreign currency translation adjustment reserve is 
transferred to the net profit or loss for the year, along 
with any gains or losses related to the divestment. Any 
repayment of outstanding balances considered part 
of the net investment is not in itself considered to be a 
partial divestment of the subsidiary.

Adoption of new or amended IFRS 
The group has implemented all new standards and 
interpretations effective in the EU from 2021.

Future implementations
The IASB has issued a number of new or amended 
and revised accounting standards and interpretations 
which are not yet applicable. Arla will adopt these new 
standards when they become mandatory. No material 
impact is expected from that.

 
115 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Other areas
5.8 GROUp CHART

Arla Foods amba

Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S 

Arla Foods Ingredients Energy A/S 
Arla Foods Ingredients Japan KK 
Arla Foods Ingredients Inc. 
Arla Foods Ingredients Korea, Co. Ltd. 
Arla Foods Ingredients Trading (Beijing) Co. Ltd.
Arla Foods Ingredients S.A. 

Arla Foods Ingredients Comércio de Produtos  
Alimentícios Ltda.

Arla Foods Ingredients Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Arla Foods Ingredients S.A. de C.V. 

Arla Foods Holding A/S
Arla Foods W.L.L.
Arla Oy

Massby Facility & Services Ltd. Oy
Osuuskunta MS tuottajapalvelu **

Arla Foods Distribution A/S

Cocio Chokolademælk A/S

Arla Foods International A/S

Arla Foods UK Holding Limited 

Arla Foods UK Farmers Joint Venture Co. Ltd.
Arla Foods UK plc

Arla Foods GP Limited
Arla Foods Finance Limited
Arla Foods Limited

Arla Foods Hatfield Limited
Arla Foods Limited Partnership
Yeo Valley Dairies Limited
Arla Foods Cheese Company Limited
Arla Foods Ingredients UK Limited
MV Ingredients Limited *

Arla Foods UK Property Co. Limited

Arla Foods B.V.
Arla Foods Comércio, Importacâo e Exportacão  
de Productos Alimenticios Ltda.

Arla Foods Ltd.

Country

Currency

Group 
equity  
interest 

Denmark
Denmark 
Denmark 
Japan
USA
Korea
China
Argentina

Brazil
Singapore
Mexico
Denmark 
Bahrain
Finland
Finland
Finland
Denmark 
Denmark 
Denmark 
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
Netherlands

Brazil
Kingdom of  
Saudi Arabia

DKK
DKK 
DKK 
JPY
USD
KRW
CNY
USD

BRL
SGD
MZN
DKK 
BHD
EUR
EUR
EUR
DKK 
DKK 
DKK 
GBP
GBP
GBP
GBP
GBP
GBP
GBP
GBP
GBP
GBP
GBP
GBP
GBP
EUR

BRL

SAR

%
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100
60
37
100
50
100
100
100
100
100
33
100
100
100
100
100
100
50
100
100

100

75

Arla Foods amba
AF A/S

Arla Foods Finance A/S

Kingdom Food Products ApS
Ejendomsanpartsselskabet St. Ravnsbjerg
Arla Insurance Company (Guernsey) Limited
Arla Foods Energy A/S
Arla Foods Trading A/S

Arla DP Holding A/S
Arla Foods Investment A/S

Arla Senegal SA.
Tholstrup Cheese A/S
Arla Foods Belgien AG
Arla Foods Ingredients (Deutschland) GmbH

Arla CoAr Holding GmbH  

ArNoCo GmbH & Co. KG *  

Arla Biolac Holding GmbH
Arla Foods Kuwait Company WLL
Arla Kallassi Foods Lebanon S.A.L.
Arla Foods Qatar WLL
AFIQ WLL 
Arla Foods Trading and Procurement Ltd.

Aishichenxi Dairy Products Import & Export Co. Ltd. **
Wuhan ASCX Dairy Co. Ltd.

Arla Foods Sdn. Bhd.
Arla Foods Corporation
Arla Foods Limited
Arla Global Dairy Products Ltd.

Arla Global Development Company Ltd.

TG Arla Dairy Products LFTZ Enterprise

TG Arla Dairy Products Ltd.

Arla For General Trading Ltd.

Country

Denmark
Denmark 
Denmark 
Denmark 
Denmark 
Guernsey
Denmark 
Denmark 
Denmark 
Denmark
Senegal
Denmark 
Belgium
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Kuwait
Lebanon
Qatar
Bahrain
Hong Kong
China
China
Malaysia
Philippines
Ghana
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Iraq

Contents

Group 
equity  
interest 

%
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
50
100
49
50
40
 51
100
50
50
100
100
100
100
99
50
100
51

116 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Notes

Contents

Other areas
5.8 GROUp CHART

Arla Foods amba
Arla Foods AB

Svenska Bönders Klassiska Ostar AB
Arla Gefleortens AB
Årets Kock Aktiebolag
Arla Foods Russia Holding AB

Arla Foods LLC

Arla Foods Inc.

Arla Foods Production LLC
Arla Foods Transport LLC 
Arla Foods Deutschland GmbH

Arla Foods Verwaltungs GmbH
Arla Foods Agrar Service GmbH
Arla Foods LLC
Team-Pack Vertriebs-Gesellschaft für Verpackungen mbH

Dofo Cheese Eksport K/S ° 

Dofo Inc.

Aktieselskabet J. Hansen

J.P. Hansen USA Incorporated

AFI Partner ApS
Andelssmør A.m.b.a.
Arla Foods AS
Arla Foods Bangladesh Ltd.
Arla Foods Dairy Products Technical Service (Beijing) Co. Ltd.
Arla Foods FZE
Arla Foods Hellas S.A.
Arla Foods Inc.

Country

Currency

Group 
equity  
interest

Country

Currency

Group 
equity  
interest 

Denmark
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Russia
USA
USA
USA
Germany
Germany
Germany
Russia
Germany
Denmark 
USA
Denmark 
USA
Denmark 
Denmark
Norway
Bangladesh
China
UAE
Greece
Canada

DKK
SEK
SEK
SEK
SEK
SEK
RUB
USD
USD
USD
EUR
EUR
EUR
RUB
EUR
DKK
USD
DKK 
USD
DKK 
DKK
NOK
BDT
CNY
AED
EUR
CAD

Arla Foods amba

Arla Foods Logistics GmbH
Hansa Verwaltungs und Vertriebs GmbH (In liquidation)
Arla Foods Mayer Australia Pty, Ltd.
Arla Foods Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Arla Foods S.A.
Arla Foods France S.a.r.l
Arla Foods S.R.L.
Arla Foods SA
Arla Global Shared Services Sp. Z.o.o.
Arla National Food Products LLC

Arla National Food Products Company LLC

Cocio Chokolademælk A/S
Marygold Trading K/S °
Mejeriforeningen
PT. Arla Indofood Makmur Dairy Import 

PT. Arla Indofood Sukses Dairy Manufacturing. 

COFCO Dairy Holdings Limited **
Svensk Mjölk Ekonomisk förening
Lantbrukarnas Riksförbund upa **
Jörd International A/S
Ejendomsselskabet Gjellerupvej 105 P/S
Svenska Osteklassiker AB
Komplementarselskabet Gjellerupvej 105 ApS 
PT Arla Foods Indonesia
Arla Foods Arinco A/S

%
100
100
100
67
100
80
100
100
100
100
100
100
20
100
100
100
100
100
100
98
100
51
100
100
100
100

DKK
Denmark
EUR
Germany
EUR
Germany
AUD
Australia
MXN
Mexico
EUR
Spain
France
EUR
Dominican Republic DOP 
PLN
Poland
PLN
Poland
AED
UAE
OMR
Oman
DKK 
Denmark 
DKK
Denmark 
DKK
Denmark
IDR
Indonesia
Indonesia
IDR
British Virgin Islands HKD
SEK
Sweden
SEK
Sweden
DKK
Denmark
DKK
Denmark
SEK
Sweden
DKK
Denmark 
IDR
Indonesia
DKK
Denmark

%
100
100
51
100
100
100
100
100
100
49
67
50
100
89
50
100
30
75
24
100
100
68
100
100
100

* Joint ventures ** Associates
° According to section 5 of the Danish Financial Statements Act, the company does not prepare a statutory report.
In addition, the group owns a number of entities without material commercial activities.

Financial statements of the parent company
Under section 149 of the Danish Financial Statements Act, these consolidated financial statements represent an extract of Arla's complete 
annual report. In order to make this report more manageable and user-friendly, we publish consolidated financial statements that do not 
include financial statements of the parent company, Arla Foods amba. The annual report of the parent company is an integrated part of the 
full annual report and is available on www. arlafoods.com. Profit sharing and supplementary payments from the parent company are set 
out in the equity section of the consolidated financial statements. The full annual report contains the statement from the Board of 
Directors and the Executive Board as well as the independent auditor's report.

117 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Reports

Contents

STATEMENT By THE BOARD Of DiRECTORS  
AND THE EXECUTiVE BOARD

Today, the Board of Directors and the Executive Director 
discussed and approved the annual report of Arla Foods 
amba for the financial year 2021. The annual report 
was prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the 
EU and additional disclosure requirements in the 
Danish Financial Statements Act.

It is our opinion that the consolidated financial 
statements, the parent company financial statements 
and the environmental, social and governance data 
give a true and fair view of the group's and the parent 
company's financial position as at 31 December 2021 
and of the results of the group's and the parent 
company's activities and cash flows for the financial 
year 1 January to 31 December 2021. 

In our opinion, the management's review of the annual 
report includes a true and fair view of the developments 
of the group's and the parent company's financial 
position, activities, financial matters, results for the 
year and cash flow, as well as a description of the most 
significant risks and uncertainties that may affect the 
group and the parent company.

We hereby recommend the annual report for adoption 
by the Board of Representatives.

Aarhus, 9 February 2022

Peder Tuborgh
CEO

Peter Giørtz-Carlsen
Executive Board Member

Jan Toft Nørgaard
Chairman 

Manfred Graff
Vice Chairman

René Lund Hansen

Jonas Carlgren

Arthur Fearnall

Gustav Kämpe

Marita Wolf

Bjørn Jepsen

Steen Nørgaard Madsen

Walter Lausen

Jørn Kjær Madsen

Johnnie Russell

Marcel Goffinet

Simon Simonsen

Inger-Lise Sjöstrom

Håkan Gillström
Employee representative 

Ib Bjerglund Nielsen
Employee representative

Harry Shaw
Employee representative

 
 
118 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Consolidated Financial Statements   /   Reports

Contents

INDEpENDENT AUDiTOR'S REpORT

TO THE OwNERS Of ARLA fOODS AMBA

Opinion
We have audited the consolidated financial statements 
and the parent company financial statements of  
Arla Foods amba for the financial year 1 January – 31 
December 2021, which comprise income statement, 
statement of comprehensive income, balance sheet, 
statement of changes in equity, cash flow statement 
and notes, including accounting policies, for the group 
and the parent company. The consolidated financial 
statements and the parent company financial 
statements are prepared in accordance with Interna-
tional Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the 
EU and additional requirements of the Danish Financial 
Statements Act. 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements 
and the parent company financial statements give a 
true and fair view of the financial position of the group 
and the parent company at 31 December 2021 and of 
the results of the group's and the parent company's 
operations and cash flows for the financial year 1 
January – 31 December 2021 in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted 
by the EU and additional requirements of the Danish 
Financial Statements Act.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and additional require-
ments applicable in Denmark. Our responsibilities under 
those standards and requirements are further described 
in the 'Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the 
consolidated financial statements and the parent 
company financial statements' (hereinafter collectively 
referred to as 'the financial statements') section of our 
report. We believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 
for our opinion.

Independence
We are independent of the group in accordance with 
the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants' 
Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (IESBA 
Code) and the additional requirements applicable in 
Denmark, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 

responsibilities in accordance with these requirements 
and the IESBA Code. 

Statement on the Management's review
Management is responsible for the Management's 
review.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover 
the Management's review, and we do not express any 
assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 
our responsibility is to read the Management's review 
and, in doing so, consider whether the Management's 
review is materially inconsistent with the financial  
statements or our knowledge obtained during the 
audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

Moreover, it is our responsibility to consider whether 
the Management's review provides the information 
required under the Danish Financial Statements Act. 

Based on our procedures, we conclude that the  
Management's review is in accordance with the 
financial statements and has been prepared in 
accordance with the requirements of the Danish 
Financial Statements Act. We did not identify any 
material misstatement of the Management's review. 

Management's responsibilities  
for the financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation of 
consolidated financial statements and parent company 
financial statements that give a true and fair view in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting  
Standards as adopted by the EU and additional  
requirements of the Danish Financial Statements Act  
and for such internal control as Management 
determines is necessary to enable the preparation of 
financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, Management is  
responsible for assessing the group's and the parent 
company's ability to continue as a going concern,  
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of 

accounting in preparing the financial statements unless 
Management either intends to liquidate the group or 
the parent company or to cease operations, or has no 
realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit  
of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance as to 
whether the financial statements as a whole are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or 
error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our 
opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of 
assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with ISAs and additional 
requirements applicable in Denmark will always detect 
a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements 
can arise from fraud or error and are considered 
material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial 
statements.

As part of an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs 
and additional requirements applicable in Denmark, 
we exercise professional judgement and maintain  
professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
•    Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement 
of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or  
error, design and perform audit procedures 
responsive to those risks and obtain audit evidence 
that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material 
misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for 
one resulting from error, as fraud may involve 
collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrep-
resentations or the override of internal control.

•    Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant  
to the audit in order to design audit procedures that 
are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the 
purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness 
of the group's and the parent company's internal 
control.

•    Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies 

used and the reasonableness of accounting 
estimates and related disclosures made by 
Management.

•     Conclude on the appropriateness of Management's 
use of the going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the financial statements and, based on the 
audit evidence obtained, whether a material 
uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that 
may cast significant doubt on the group's and the 
Parent Company's ability to continue as a going 
concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty 
exists, we are required to draw attention in our 
auditor's report to the related disclosures in the 
financial statements or, if such disclosures are 
inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions 
are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the 
date of our auditor's report. However, future events or 
conditions may cause the group and the parent 
company to cease to continue as a going concern.

•    Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and 

contents of the financial statements, including the 
note disclosures, and whether the financial 
statements represent the underlying transactions 
and events in a manner that gives a true and fair view.

•    Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence 

regarding the financial information of the entities or 
business activities within the group to express an 
opinion on the consolidated financial statements. 
We are responsible for the direction, supervision and 
performance of the group audit. We remain solely 
responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with those charged with governance 
regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and 
timing of the audit and significant audit findings, 
including any significant deficiencies in internal control 
that we identify during our audit.

Aarhus, 9 February 2022 
EY Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab
CVR no. 30 70 02 28

Henrik Kronborg Iversen
State Authorised
Public Accountant
MNE no. 24687 

Jes Lauritzen
State Authorised
Public Accountant
MNE no. 10121

Contents

ENViRONMENTAL, 
SOCiAL AND 
GOVERNANCE  
(ESG) REpORT

 
TABLE Of CONTENTS

Contents

ESG pERfORMANCE REViEw

NOTES

ASSURANCE REpORT

Sustainability performance review
121  Sustainability performance at a glance
 Letter from the Chief Agriculture, 
122 
Sustainability and Communications Officer 

123  Five-year overview

Environmental figures
124 
127 
128 
128 
129 

 1.1 Greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂e)
 1.2 Renewable energy share
 1.3 Solid waste
 1.4 Water
 1.5 Animal welfare

Governance data
134 
134 
135 

 3.1 Gender diversity – Board of Directors
 3.2 Board meeting attendance
 3.3 General accounting policies

136 

 Independent auditor’s reasonable  
assurance report

Social figures
130 
131 
132 
132 
133 
133  2.6 Accidents

 2.1 Full-time equivalents
 2.2 Gender diversity
 2.3 Gender pay ratio
 2.4 Employee turnover
   2.5 Food safety – recalls

121 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Sustainability performance at a glance

Contents

SUSTAiNABiLiTy pERfORMANCE AT A GLANCE

ENViRONMENTAL DATA

CO₂e emission reduction*,  
SCOpE 1 AND 2 

CO₂e emission reduction,  
SCOpE 3 per kg of milk  
and whey

25%

2020: 24%

 7%

2020: 7%

Renewable energy share*

33%

ANiMAL wELfARE
Share of audited farmers without major issues

98.4%

No major cleanliness issues

99.8%

No major body condition 
issues

Baseline: 2015, Science Based 
Target 2030: 63%

Baseline: 2015, Science Based  
Target 2030: 30%

2021

2020

33%

31%

100.0%

No injury issues

99.5%

No major mobility issues

Ratios calculated based on 3,337 Arlagården® audits performed in 2021 corresponding to  
37% of Arla's active farmers

SOCiAL DATA

Accident frequency/
per 1 million working hours

4.3

2021

2020

2019

Food safety 
Number of recalls

0

2021

2020

2019

4.3

5.2

6.0

Full-time equivalents

20,617

Share of females 
at director level or above

27%

0

1

4

2021

2020

2019

20,617

20,020

19,174

2021

2020

2019

27%

26%

26%

*Market based accounting

122 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Letter from Chief Agriculture Sustainability and Communication officer

Contents

COMMiTTED TO TRANSpARENT ACTiON

Being science-based and data driven is fundamental  
to our approach, as we believe that to lower our 
carbon footprint we first have to be sure we measure 
it correctly. I am proud to say that we are the first large 
dairy company to receive reasonable assurance on 
our complete ESG data, including scope 3 emissions, 
presented in this report. 

Taking concrete action and being innovative 
forerunners is another key element of our value 
creation and sustainability. In 2021, we established  
24 pilot farms to explore regenerative dairy farming 
practices and create data-driven proof points of their 
impact on nature and climate. In Sweden and the UK, 
we opened innovation farms that will serve as hubs for 
cutting-edge trials in collaboration with farmers, 
researchers, customers and industry stakeholders.

Our sustainability commitments and targets cover our 
whole value chain from the farm up, and are a key part of 
our new five-year business strategy, Future26, launched at 
the end of 2021.

“

Data transparency, accuracy and 
credibility are prerequisites for our 
success on the sustainability 
journey

”

Making sustainability core to our business strategy ensures 
that it gets the right focus and investment that will be 
needed to drive change and impact in the years ahead and 
enable us to deliver on our vision.

Having grown up on a dairy farm, I have spent my whole 
working life at Arla Foods and feel immensely privileged 
to be given the role as our first Chief Agriculture and 
Sustainability Officer. I look forward to sharing our 
progress with you and reporting on it through this and 
future ESG reports.

Hanne Søndergaard
EVP, Chief Agriculture, Sustainability and  
Communications Officer

Dairy is an important part of many people’s diets around 
the world, providing high quality proteins and nutrition, 
through a wide range of tasty, versatile and affordable 
products. The global dairy industry also helps to 
support the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of 
people and our farmers play an important role in the 
stewardship of the land.

At Arla, we have been working with sustainability 
for many years, and our farmers are amongst the 
most climate efficient globally, with 1.15 kg of CO₂e 
emissions per kg of milk.* In 2021, we raised our 
climate ambition to support the 1.5°C global warming 
target of the Paris agreement, committing ourselves to 
lowering our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 63 per cent 
by 2030*. I am pleased that these plans have been 
approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. 

* FAO and GDP. 2018. Climate change and the global dairy cattle sector – The role of the dairy sector in a low-carbon future.

wE ARE COMMiTTED TO TAKING ACTION

2030

Updated 
in 2021

-63%

CO₂e, scope 1 and 2,
 in total

2030

-30%

CO₂e, scope 3 per kg 
of milk and whey

2030

-50%

Food waste

2030

0%

Virgin fossil 
plastic**

2025

100%

Recyclable  
packaging**

2025

2030

2050

**On branded products

123 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Five-year overview

Contents

fiVE-yEAR OVERViEw 

Five-year ESG overview 

ESG note

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Environmental data
CO₂e emissions
CO₂e reduction scope 1 and 2 (baseline: 2015)
CO₂e reduction scope 3 per kg of milk and whey (baseline: 2015)
CO₂e scope 1 (mkg)
CO₂e Scope 2 – market-based (mkg)
CO₂e scope 3 (mkg)
Total CO₂e (mkg)
CO₂e scope 2 – location-based (mkg)
Total CO₂e – location-based (mkg)
CO₂e scope 3 per kg of milk and whey (kg)

CO₂e reduction (scope 1 and 2) – location-based
Energy mix
Renewable energy share (%) – market-based
Renewable energy share (%) – location-based
Waste and water
Solid waste (tonnes)
Water consumption (thousand m3)
Animal welfare
Somatic cell count (thousand cells/ml)
Share of audited farmers with no major cleanliness issues
Share of audited farmers with no major mobility issues
Share of audited farmers with no major injury issues
Share of audited farmers with no major body condition issues

Social data
Full-time equivalents (average)
Total share of females (%)
Share of females at director level or above (%)
Share of females in Executive Management Team (%)
Gender pay ratio, white-collar (male to female)
Employee turnover (%)
Food safety – number of recalls
Accident frequency (per 1 million working hours)

Governance data
Share of females, Board of Directors (%)*
Board meeting attendance (%)

*  Including all board members, those elected by the general meeting, employee representatives and external advisors, the share of females was 20 per cent as of 31 December 2021.

-25%
-7%
447
286
19,050
19,783
243
19,740
1.20

-20%

33%
32%

33,500
18,860

191
98.4%
99.5%
100%
99.8%

20,617
27%
27%
14%
1.03
13%
0
4.3

13%
98%

1.1

1.2
1.2

1.3
1.4

1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5

2.1
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6

3.1
3.2

-24%
-7%
474
277
18,625
19,376
237
19,336
 1.21 

-16%

31%
35%

32,975
18,663

-12%
-7%
463
399
18,387
19,249
274
19,124
 1.21 

-4%
-7%
490
456
18,553
19,499
263
19,306
 1.20 

-5%
-6%
492
438
18,671
19,601
313
19,476
 1.22 

-14%

-12%

-6%

33%

27%

24%

33,713
18,059

34,600
18,084

32,608
18,670

194

196

198

194

20,020
27%
26%
14%
1.05
10%
1
5.2

13%
99%

19,174
27%
26%
29%
1.05
12%
4
6.0

13%
96%

19,190
27%
23%
29%
1.06     
12%
2
7.9

13%
99%

18,973
26%
22%
29%
-
11%
10
9.3

12%
99%

124 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Environmental figures
1.1 GREENHOUSE GAS EMiSSiONS (CO2e)

OUR fARMERS REMAiN AMONGST MOST CLiMATE EffiCiENT

To follow up on Arla’s contribution to climate change 
and the progress towards our emission targets, our  
greenhouse gas emissions (expressed as CO₂ equivalents, 
CO₂e) are calculated annually. CO₂e is categorised into 
three scopes according to the methodology of the 
Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard (GHG 
protocol). In line with Arla’s Science Based Targets, the 
group does not account for carbon credits.

Emissions related to packaging and transport increased 
mainly due to expanded production in our international 
markets. According to our Science Based Target, scope 3 
emissions per kg of milk and whey should be reduced by 
30 per cent by 2030. In 2021 the reduction was 7 per 
cent compared to 2015 and on par with last year, 
showing that our farmers are amongst the most climate 
efficient globally.

Since 2015, scope 1 and scope 2 CO₂e emissions 
decreased by 25 per cent well in progress to reach our 
updated scope 1 and 2 science-based reduction target 
of 63 per cent by 2030.

Scope 3 emissions per kg milk and whey amounted to 
1.20 kg, unchanged compared to last year. In 2021, 
emissions specifically from Arla’s owners amounted to 
1.15 kg CO₂e per kg of owner milk, on a par with last year. 

In 2021, total C0₂e emissions increased to 19,783 
million kg compared to 19,376 million kg last year  
The development is explained by an increase in 
externally purchased whey in Arla Foods Ingredients 
and increased emissions related to expanding 
production capacity at our production site in Bahrain. 
These factors were partly offset by increased purchase 
of biogas certificates.

CO₂e emission development
(mKG)

20,000

18,000

16,000

14,000

12,000

10,000

19,376

4%

10%

86%

2020

-18

-259

684

19,783

4%

Scope 1+2

13%

Other
scope 3

Milk 
scope 3

83%

CO₂e scope 3
per kg milk
and whey

-7%

Compared to 
2015

ESG Table 1.1 Greenhouse gas emissions
(mkg)

CO₂e reduction scope 1 and 2 market-based  
(baseline: 2015)
CO₂e reduction scope 3 per kg milk and whey  
(baseline: 2015)

CO₂e scope 1
Operations
Transport
CO₂e scope 1

CO₂e scope 2
CO₂e scope 2 – market-based*

CO₂e scope 3**
Purchased goods and services (category 1):
Milk***
Whey
Packaging
Purchased goods and services (category 1)

Fuel and energy-related activities (category 3)
Upstream transport and distribution (category 4)
Waste generated in operations (category 5)
CO₂e scope 3
Total CO₂e
CO₂e Scope 2 – location-based
Total CO₂e – location-based

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

-25%

-24%

-12%

-7%

-7%

-7%

368
79
447

381
93
474

366
97
463

-4%

-7%

400
90
490

-5%

-6%

408
84
492

286

277

399

456

438

16,386
1,751
417
18,554

125
347
24
19,050
19,783
243
19,740

 16,645 
 1,133 
 396 
 18,174 

 120 
 306 
 25 
18,625
19,376
237
19,336

 16,524 
 1,032 
 384 
 17,940 

 110 
 312 
 25 
18,387
19,249
274
19,124

 16,548 
 1,162 
 383 
 18,093 

 108 
326 
 26 
18,553
19,499
263
19,306

 16,809 
 1,002 
 384 
 18,195 

 105 
 345 
 26 
18,671
19,601
313
19,476

Scope 1+2

Scope 3 
milk

2021

Scope 3 
whey and other

* In 2020, Arla switched to market-based reporting, read more on page 125.
** Scope 3 emissions from categories 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 15 are immaterial to Arla’s scope 3 emissions and are therefore not included in 
the emission figures in ESG Table 1.1. The categories mentioned individually account for less than 0.6 per cent of the Arla’s scope 3 emissions.
Categories 10, 11 and 14 are not applicable to Arla due to the nature of the products and the Arla business model.
*** The milk conversion factor from litre into kg was 1.02 for milk volumes until 30 June, 2021. Effective from 1 July 2021, the milk conversion 
factor is 1.03. Historical figures for owner milk was re-statet to the new conversion factor.

 
 
 
 
 
125 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Environmental figures
1.1 GREENHOUSE GAS EMiSSiONS (CO2e)

Accounting policies

Calculating CO₂ equivalents
Greenhouse gases are gases that contribute to the 
warming of the climate by absorbing infrared radiation. 
Besides the widely known carbon dioxide (CO₂), there 
are two other major greenhouse gases associated with 
dairy production: methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide 
(N₂O). In order to calculate Arla’s total greenhouse gas 
emissions (the carbon footprint), different greenhouse 
gas emissions are converted into carbon dioxide 
equivalents (CO₂e). The conversion of different gases 
reflects their global warming potential. 

The potency of the different gases is taken into 
consideration according to the following calculations 
(based on the IPCC* Fifth Assessment Report, Climate 
Change 2013):

1 kg of carbon dioxide (CO₂) = 1 kg of CO₂e
1 kg of methane (CH₄) = 28 kg of CO₂e
1 kg of nitrous oxide (N₂O) = 265 kg of CO₂e

The majority of Arla’s emissions are methane from 
digestion and manure storage, nitrous oxide from 
fertilizer and manure usage.

Greenhouse gas emissions are categorised into three 
scopes according to where they appear across  
the value chain, and what control the company has 
over them.

Scope 1 – All direct emissions
Scope 1 emissions relate to activities under the group’s 
control. This includes transport using Arla’s vehicles, 
and direct emissions from Arla’s production facilities. 
Scope 1 emissions are calculated in accordance with 
the methodology set out in the GHG protocol by 
applying emission factors to Arla-specific activity data.

Scope 2 – Indirect emissions
Scope 2 emissions relate to the indirect emissions 
caused by Arla’s energy purchases, i.e. electricity or 
heat. Scope 2 emissions are calculated in accordance 
with the methodology set out in the GHG protocol by 
applying emission factors to Arla-specific activity data. 

In 2020, Arla switched from location-based scope 2 
reporting to market-based reporting and updated the 
2015 baseline. The market-based allocation approach 
reflects emissions from the specific electricity and other 
contractual instruments that Arla purchases, which may 
differ from the average electricity and other energy 
sources generated in a specific country. This gives  
Arla the chance to purchase electricity and other 
contractual instruments that emit less greenhouse 

gases than the country average. In accordance with  
the GHG protocol, Arla discloses scope 2 emissions 
according to both the market- and location-based 
method (also known as dual reporting).

Scope 3 – Other indirect emissions
Scope 3 emissions relate to emissions from sources 
that Arla does not directly own or control.  They cover 
emissions from purchased goods and services  

(e.g. raw milk purchased from owners and contract 
farmers, whey, packaging and transport purchased from 
suppliers), but also waste processing from sites. Scope 3 
emissions are, in line with the GHG protocol, calculated 
by applying emission factors to Arla-specific activity data. 

wHERE DO OUR EMiSSiONS COME fROM?

N₂O

CO₂

N₂O/CH₄ CH₄

CH₄

CO₂

CO₂

CO₂

Scope 1
2%

Feed production

Farms

Transport

Production and offices

Transport

Waste 
management

Scope 3 
96%

Purchased energy

Scope 2
2%

According to the 2021 quantification of Arla’s climate impact, scope 1 and 2 emissions accounted for 2 and 2 per cent of total emissions, respectively. Scope 3 emissions 
accounted for 96 per cent of Arla’s climate impact. Milk production on farm (including, among many factors, methane emitted by cows, and emissions related to feed and 
transport of feed) accounted for 83 per cent of total emissions. 

* The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) is the United Nations’ body for assessing the science related to climate change.

 
 
126 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Environmental figures
1.1 GREENHOUSE GAS EMiSSiONS (CO2e)

Accounting policies (continued)

Emissions from whey relates to externally purchased whey 
for the largest sites of Arla Foods Ingredients. Included 
whey is standardised and recalculated based on the milk 
solid content to consider the difference in quality and 
fractions purchased at Arla. The emission factor related to 
externally purchased whey was unchanged at 1.0, a 
conservative estimate (Flysjö, 2012). 

Arla collects data from transport and packaging suppliers 
covering a minimum of 95 per cent of the spend, and 
based on the collected data, emissions are scaled up to 
cover 100 per cent. Biogenic emissions are not currently 
disclosed in the ESG section but will be disclosed from 
2022. For transport, operations and packaging emission 
factors are obtained from Sphera, an industry-leading
consultancy firm. The emission factors are updated 
annually to the most recent complete data set for the
same year, in this case 2017. Emission factors are 
unchanged compared to 2020 due to changes in delivery 
time from Sphera. Farm-level emission factors are obtained 
from 2.-0 LCA Consultants. For non-owner milk, emission 
factors were unchanged at 2015 levels.

Scope 3 – Emissions on farm
Scope 3 emissions from raw milk are calculated in 
accordance with the International Dairy Federation’s 
guideline for the carbon footprint of dairy products (IDF 
2015). The tool used for calculating the carbon footprint 
from milk is based on an attributional life-cycle assessment 
(LCA) that has been developed during the last decade in 
collaboration with 2.-0 LCA Consultants, a Danish 
consultancy firm formed by academics. For detailed 
descriptions of methodology, please refer to Schmidt and 
Dalgaard (2021). Farm-level emission factors are also 
obtained from 2.-0 LCA Consultants. Non-owner milk 
emissions are calculated by multiplying milk volume with 
emission factors based on national inventory data and not 
Arla specific data. The calculations are based on an earlier 
version of the farm tool following IDF 2010 (Dalgaard R, 
Schmidt J, Cenian K, 2016).

Emissions related to raw milk include emissions both on 
and off farm. The emissions relate to the cow’s digestion, 
feed production and purchase, manure storage, energy 
usage, capital goods and peat soils. Emissions related to 

feed include fertilizer for home-grown feed and purchased 
feed, and transport of purchased feed. Manure storage can 
result in methane and nitrous oxide emissions. The 
amount of emissions varies depending on how manure is 
covered and whether it is used for biogas production. Peat 
soils are wetland with a high CO₂e content. When soils are 
drained and used in crop production CO₂ and N₂O are 
released. The emission figure related to raw milk presented 
in this report is a weighed average emission per kg of milk, 
calculated based on validated climate data from farms 
where the data has been validated by external climate 
experts, multiplied by the fat and protein adjusted milk 
intake. Farms visited by external climate experts are 
statistically representative of all Arla farms. 

  Uncertainties and estimates

In 2021, 93 per cent of Arla’s active farmer owners, 
covering 98 per cent of Arla’s owner milk volume, 
submitted a detailed Climate Check questionnaire (farmers 
receive an incentive of 1.0 EUR-cent/kg of milk to 
complete the survey). Their answers were validated by 
external climate experts. This report includes only 
externally validated data which at year end 2021, 
accounted for 77 per cent of Arla’s active farmers. 

Farmer owners complete the Climate Check once a year 
based on data from their most recent financial year. This 
could vary from farm to farm, as some have financial years 
running from January to December, while others run from 
July to June. Therefore, the figures presented are not 
necessarily based on farm data covering the same period. 
The majority of data, 61 per cent, relates to the period 
1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 while 14 per cent 
relates to earlier periods. 

An uncertainty analysis has been carried out to understand 
the biggest areas of uncertainty related to self-reported 
farm emission data. The analysis was centred around four 
key levers; herd, feed, crops and manure handling, and 
addressed the parameters with the highest impact on the 
emissions on farm. The analysis concluded that data could 
be manipulated, in worst case up to 10-12 per cent, but 
only if the farmer had a starting point of high emissions 
and claimed to change from no biogas treatment to full 
biogas treatment of slurry. Smaller farmers and farmers 

using extensive grazing systems are not always measuring 
the amount of feed that the cows eat or the dry matter 
content of the grass on the fields. To enable these farmers 
to report, the system contains a model which calculates 
feed consumption based on herd size and milk yield. 
Reporting on peat soils is a developing field and still 
subject to higher uncertainty than other areas. Due to 
it's relatively high climate impact uncertainties related 
to peat soils could have significant impact on the total 
reported greenhouse gas figure. The risk of errors and data 
manipulation is minimised by external climate advisors 
validating the data, and also by a systematic statistical 
process conducted by Arla to filter outliers. All outliers 
are flagged to the climate advisors, who may go back to 
the farmer to investigate. Numbers are only released for 
reporting after thorough investigation.

The methodology used to calculate emissions on farm is 
developing over time. Currently, factors that potentially 
lower total net emissions, such as carbon sequestration on 
farm and direct land use change, are not included. IDF 
2015 suggest that direct land use change should be 
included in the calculations.

Other uncertainty relates to data collection regarding 
packaging and transport from our suppliers. Each year, Arla 
sends its suppliers detailed requests to provide the 
necessary data, accompanied by a manual on how to 
complete the related documentation. Manual data entries 
from different sources are clear risks to data quality. To 
minimise the risk of reporting errors, a rigorous two-step 
internal validation process is in place.

wHERE DO OUR EMiSSiONS COME fROM ON fARM?

CO₂

N₂O

N₂O

CH₄

CO₂

9%

33%

10%

5%

41%

Peat 
soil

Feed purchased 
and home-grown 

Manure 
storage

Cows’ digestion 
of feed

Energy

Other emissions, 2 per cent, include capital goods and destruction of animal remains.

 
127 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Environmental figures
1.2 RENEwABLE ENERGy SHARE

  SHARE Of RENEwABLE ENERGy iNCREASED

  Accounting policies

The use of energy, including heat and electricity, at 
Arla’s sites contributes to climate change, depletion of 
non-renewable resources and pollution. As a result, 
switching from fossil to renewable energy is an 
important lever to fulfil Arla’s climate ambition and 
reduce the carbon footprint from scope 1 and 2 
emissions.

The renewable energy share increased to 33 per cent in 
2021 compared to 31 per cent last year. The ratio was 
positively impacted by the purchase of additional green 
electricity and biogas in Denmark.

In 2020, the accounting method for renewable energy 
was changed from location-based to market-based 
accounting. Between 2016 and 2019, Arla purchased a 
number of green certificates without accounting for 
these in the figures, therefore only 2020-2021 figures 
are disclosed in ESG Table 1.2. 

Energy usage in production consists of renewable and 
fossil-based fuels and electricity. Renewable energy is 
energy based on renewable sources, which can be 
naturally replenished, such as sun, wind, water, biomass 
and geothermal heat. From 2020, Arla measures and 
reports emissions based on market-based accounting 
and will account for the purchase of green electricity by 
contractual agreement in the renewable energy share 
calculation. The renewable electricity purchased from 
national sources is assessed annually using figures for the 
national electricity mix supplied by Sphera, an industry-
leading consultancy firm collecting, assessing and 
analysing emission data based on the latest scientific 
evidence. To calculate the share of renewables, the 

renewable energy use is divided by the group’s total 
energy use.

Some Arla sites produce and sell excess energy, i.e.
electricity and heat. The energy sold was not deducted 
in the calculation of the renewable energy share. The 
data presented in ESG Table 1.2 is collected monthly 
from Arla’s sites. Data for energy consumption is 
primarily based on invoice information and automated 
meter readings at each site, and therefore there is very 
little uncertainty associated with these figures. Arla 
does not account for energy losses, therefore all energy 
purchased is included in the figures.

ESG Table 1.2 Energy purchased for production 
(thousand MWh)

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

THE GREEN pOwER LOOp pRESENT AND fUTURE

Non-renewable sources:
Natural gas, fuel oil and gas oil
Electricity
District heating
Non-renewable sources

Renewable sources:
Biogas and biomass
District heating
Electricity
Renewable sources
Total energy purchased for production

Renewable energy share, market-based*
Renenewable energy share, location-based

1,773
634
19
2,426

563
210
421
1,194
3,620

33%
32%

1,816
626
5
2,447

559
119
432
1,110
3,557

31%
35%

-
-
-

-
-
-

-

-
-
-

-
-
-

-

-
-
-

-
-
-

-

-
33%

-
27%

-
24%

One way of securing green electricity for our operations is by buying Guarantees of Origin (GO) certificates
directly from our farmer owners. This will secure our farmers a better price for their power and provide  
Arla access to additional certificates.

pRESENT

Farmer/Owner

Utility company

Any company

Arla

100%

* In 2020, Arla switched to market-based accounting and the 2020 figures are based on the new method. The renewable energy share based 
on national averages (location-based method) was 35 per cent in 2020 and is shown on a separate line.

fUTURE

    
128 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Environmental figures
1.3 wASTE

Environmental figures
1.4 wATER

  SOLiD wASTE iNCREASED

Waste that cannot be recovered through recycling, 
reuse or composting impacts the environment. Arla 
continuously seeks to increase production efficiency at 
sites, reduce waste throughout the manufacturing and 
transport process, as well as working with waste 
management suppliers to reduce waste and improve 
waste handling.

In 2021, solid waste increased to 33,500 tonnes 
compared to 32,975 tonnes last year mainly driven by 
expanded production capacity in Bahrain.

Currently, Arla discloses only solid waste in ESG Table 
1.3. which is only a small part of Arla’s total waste. Other 
waste types are product waste and sludge. Arla is working 
to further improve the food waste reporting accuracy and 
efficiency with the aim of including food waste in the ESG 
reporting. 

  wATER CONSUMpTiON SLiGHTLy Up

Providing access to clean water is an important part of 
Arla’s environmental ambition, and as such, reducing 
water usage and enhancing water cleansing technolo-
gies at production sites is a key focus area. 

In 2021, water consumption in Arla increased by 
1 per cent compared to last year, driven by expanded 
production capacity in Bahrain and increased 
mozzarella production in Denmark.

ESG Table 1.3 Solid waste
(tonnes)

Recycled waste
Waste for incineration with energy recovery
Waste for landfill
Hazardous waste
Total

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

21,640
8,679
1,921
1,260
33,500

21,402
8,991
1,204
1,378
32,975

21,651
10,011
988
1,063
33,713

20,233 
12,546 
933 
888 
34,600 

19,699 
11,088 
897 
924 
32,608 

  Accounting policies

  Uncertainties and estimates

Solid waste is defined as materials from production 
which are no longer intended for their original use and 
which must be recovered (e.g. recycled, reused or 
composted) or not recovered (e.g. landfilled). This 
includes packaging waste, hazardous waste and other 
non-hazardous waste. Arla collects data monthly from 
all sites where we have control.

Solid waste information is retrieved from external 
waste handlers monthly and reported by the sites. 
In 2021, data collection for Denmark and Sweden 
was automatised. For the other countries, the source 
remains manual entries by sites which increases the risk 
of errors. Relevant controls are in place to mitigate the 
risk of errors.

ESG Table 1.4 water consumption
thousand m³ 

Water purchased externally
Water from internal boreholes
Total

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

11,057
7,803
18,860

 10,918 
 7,745 
 18,663 

 10,589 
 7,470 
 18,059 

 10,484 
 7,600 
 18,084 

 10,862 
 7,808 
 18,670 

  Accounting policies

  Uncertainties and estimates

The water consumption covers all water purchased 
from external suppliers and water from internal 
boreholes at production sites, warehouses and logistics 
terminals. External borehole water includes water 
purchased from external suppliers before internal 
treatment. Internal borehole water relates to boreholes 
on sites measured before internal treatment.

Water consumption data is based on monthly manual 
input from sites. The externally purchased water is 
checked against supplier data, while internal borehole 
water is retrieved from manual meter readings. 
To mitigate the risk of manual errors, data go through 
thorough internal validation at the site and centrally 
at Arla.

129 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Environmental figures
1.5 ANiMAL wELfARE

  ANiMAL wELfARE jOURNEy ON TRACK

ESG Table 1.5 Animal welfare indicators

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Animal welfare is a key priority for our farmer owners, 
and for Arla as a company. Arla is committed to 
reporting on the most important measures to describe 
and improve animal welfare. Our animal welfare KPIs 
include somatic cell count, which is a good indicator 
of disease and stress in cows, and four indicators 
connected to the physical appearance and well-being 
of cows. The indicators are body condition, cleanliness, 
mobility and injuries. These indicators were developed 
based on scientific research into the most common dairy 
cattle issues.

welfare. The percentage of audited farms was 37 per 
cent in 2021 corresponding to 3,337 audits.The results 
of the audit can trigger a follow-up audit either if there 
are major issues or if there are several minor issues. In 
case of repeated animal welfare breaches, Arla stops 
milk collection from the non-compliant farm, and in 
rare, extreme cases terminates the membership. During 
2020, the audit process was upgraded and harmonised 
across all owner countries to ensure that auditors follow 
the same procedure and standards everywhere. 
Therefore, only 2021 data is reported.

Animal welfare on farm is externally audited at least 
once every three years by a world-leading quality 
assurance and audit firm, SGS, specialising in animal 

The average somatic cell count across Arla geographies 
fell by 2 per cent to 191 thousand cells/ml, the lowest 
level for more than five years.

fOUR CORE ANiMAL wELfARE iNDiCATORS
We measure the general wellbeing of the cows using four indicators developed  
based on scientific research into the most common dairy cattle issues.

Cows with good body condition  
Fit cows have the perfect amount of fat reserve on 
their bodies: not too little and not too much. 

Mobile cows  
walk without any 
problems, and have 
no pain in their legs 
and hooves. 

COwS wiTH GOOD 
BODy CONDiTiON

MOBiLE 
COwS

CLEAN 
COwS

COwS wiTHOUT 
iNjURiES

Clean cows  
have a lower risk 
of being infected 
by disease.

Ratio calculated based on 3,337 Arlagården® audits performed in 2021.

Cows without injuries  
An injury on a cow can be  
a lump, bump, ulcer or sore. 

Somatic cell count (thousand cells/ml)
Share of audited farmers with no major cleanliness issues
Share of audited farmers with no major mobility issues
Share of audited farmers with no major injury issues
Share of audited farmers with no major issues related to  
body condition

191
98.4%
99.5%
100.0%

99.8%

194 
-
-
-

-

196
-
-
-

-

198
-
-
-

-

194
-
-
-

-

  Accounting policies

Somatic cell count (average):
Somatic cells in milk are primarily white blood cells. An 
elevated level of somatic cells can indicate inflammation 
(mastitis) of the cow’s udder, which causes the animal 
pain and stress, and also lowers milk quality. Arla 
monitors the somatic cell count (SCC) by analysing milk 
at bulk tank level each time milk is collected from the 
farms. Levels are continuously reported to safeguard 
milk quality. The figure reported is a weighted average 
of Arla’s entire milk intake in a given year. The SCC 
count is received from several laboratories across owner 
countries. SCC above 300 reduces the milk price to the 
farmer, while an addition is given for SCC below 300.

Audit on farms and animal-based indicators
Animal welfare conditions on all Arla farms are regularly 
audited. An audit entails a thorough check-up of the 
herd and the farm from all relevant animal welfare 
perspectives. Audits include basic audits (performed 
every three years), spot checks, start-up visits, attention 
and special attention audits. Audited farmers are 
defined as the percentage of owners who received at 
least one audit in 2021. One owner could potentially 
receive more than one audit per year if the farmer owns 
more than one farm or if the farmer receives both a 
basic audit and a spot check audit. Follow-up audits are 
not included in the figure.

Animal-based indicators evaluated by auditors
The KPIs reported in Table 1.5 relate to the share of 
audited farmers with no major issues reported within 
each category. When an auditor visits the farm, a sample 
of the herd is selected. The sample size varies with the 
herd size. The auditor scores the cows in the sample for 
the four core welfare indicators on a scale of 0-2, where 
0 means no issues identified, 1 means minor issues and 
2 means major issues. The results are reported to Arla. 
If the auditors find more than 5 per cent of the sampled 
cows too thin, more than 25 per cent too dirty, more 
than 15 per cent lame or more than 10 per cent injured, 
they report it as a major animal welfare incident to Arla. 

  Uncertainties and estimates

The UK somatic cell count includes the somatic cell 
count for contract farmers as well as owners, however 
this has no significant impact on the total somatic cell 
count.

Farms are audited every three years. A year-on-year 
comparison may therefore be affected due to the fact 
that it is not the same farms being audited every year.  

 
130 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Social figures
2.1 fULL-TiME EQUiVALENTS

   fTES iNCREASED DUE TO iNSOURCiNG AND iNTERNATiONAL EXpANSiON

Full-time equivalents split by employee type, 2021

People are crucial to Arla’s success, so it is imperative to 
know how the group deploys these resources across 
geographies and time. The number of employees is 
measured in full-time equivalents (FTEs). The total 
number of FTEs increased by 3.0 per cent compared to 
last year. A key driver was insourcing of administrative 
tasks in UAE and Oman and expansion of production 
capacity in Bahrain to enable increased demand and 
the move of production lines from Denmark and Saudi 
Arabia. The increase in FTEs in Denmark can be 
ascribed to expansion in Arla Foods Ingredients and 
insourcing of IT and marketing activities.

Over the last five years, the FTE level increased on 
average 2 per cent per year. The numbers show a shift 
from our core European markets to Poland and 
international markets, especially to MENA. This 
supports Arla’s strategic plan to expand the share of 
business outside Europe, where the outlook for growth 
is more promising.

ESG Table 2.1 Full-time equivalents

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Denmark
UK
Sweden
Germany
Saudi Arabia
Poland
North America
The Netherlands
Finland
Other countries
Full-time equivalents

7,565
3,616
3,076
1,590
974
582
501
349
364
2,000
20,617

7,350
3,761
3,114
1,632
970
529
479
351
336
1,498
20,020

7,258
3,407
2,977
1,681
952
511
477
339
319
1,253
19,174

7,264     
3,387     
3,001     
1,759     
965     
463     
502     
327     
325     
1,197     
19,190 

7,069     
3,477     
3,029     
1,809     
1,009     
433     
496     
320     
325     
1,006     
18,973 

White-collar

37%

Blue-collar

63%

20,617

Employees

  Accounting policies

FTEs are defined as the contractual working hours of  
an employee compared to a full-time contract in the 
same position and country. The full-time equivalent 
figure is used to measure the active workforce counted 
in full-time positions. An FTE of 1.0 is equivalent to a 
full-time worker, while an FTE of 0.5 equals half of the 
full workload.

The average FTE figure reported in Note 1.2 in the 
consolidated financial statements, and in ESG Note 2.1 
is calculated as an average figure for each legal entity 
during the year based on quarterly measurements 
taken at the end of each quarter.

All employees are included in the FTE figure, including 
employees who are on permanent and temporary 
contracts. Employees on long-term leave, e.g. maternity 
leave or long-term sick leave, are excluded. 

The majority of employees in production and logistics 
are classified as blue-collar employees, while employees 
in sales and administrative functions are classified as 
white-collar employees. The ratio of white-collar to 
blue-collar employees is calculated based on FTEs as  
at 31 December.

Employee data is handled centrally in accordance 
with GDPR. The FTE figure is reported internally on a 
monthly basis. To improve data quality, data is validated 
by each legal entity on a quarterly basis.

131 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Social figures
2.2 GENDER DiVERSiTy

  SHARE Of fEMALES iN MANAGEMENT iNCREASED

Gender diversity for all employees, 2021

A diverse workforce is key to Arla’s success. Arla’s policies 
do not distinguish between men and women when it 
comes to promotion opportunities or remuneration, 
however women are underrepresented in Arla’s 
blue-collar workforce, and to a lesser extent in the 
white-collar workforce as well.

Arla's goal is to create a workplace with a diverse 
workforce promoting equal opportunities regardless of 
background, culture, religion, gender etc. Diversity, 
inclusion and anti-harassment policies are in place to 
handle issues in a structured manner and a whistle-
blower platform enables employees to report any kind 
of harassment. Work councils at both local and global 
levels also help to ensure that workplace decisions are 
made in the best interests of all colleagues and Arla. 
Gender diversity for the Board of Directors is disclosed 
in ESG Note 3.1.

Gender diversity (all employees)
In 2021, the female share of FTEs remained unchanged 
from last year at 27 per cent. Read more about how Arla 
works with diversity on page 55.

Gender diversity (in management)
27 per cent of positions at director level or above were 
held by women, which was a small increase compared 
to last year.

Gender diversity (in Executive Management Team)
14 per cent of the Executive Management Team 
members were women, unchanged compared to last 
year.

Female

 27%

Male 

73%

ESG Table 2.2.a Gender diversity for all employees 
(all employees)

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

  Accounting policies

Total share of females

27%

27%

27% 

27%

26%

ESG Table 2.2.b Gender diversity in management 
(diversity in management)

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Share of females at director level or above

27%

26%

 26%

23%

22%

ESG Table 2.2.c Gender diversity in Executive 
Management Team 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Share of females in Executive Management Team (EMT)

14%

14%

 29%

29%

29%

Gender diversity (all employees)
Gender diversity is defined as the share of female FTEs 
compared to total FTEs. Gender diversity is based on 
FTEs as at 31 December 2021. It covers all white-collar 
and blue-collar employees.

Gender diversity (in management)
Arla’s gender diversity in management is defined as the 
share of female FTEs in positions at director level or 
above compared to total FTEs for positions at director 
level or above.

Gender diversity (in Executive Management Team)
Gender diversity in management is defined as the share 
of females in the Executive Management Team (EMT) as 
at 31 December 2021.

132 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Social figures
2.3 GENDER pAy RATiO

Social figures
2.4 EMpLOyEE TURNOVER

  GAp BETwEEN MALE AND fEMALE SALARy DECREASED

  EMpLOyEE TURNOVER Up DUE TO COVID

Paying equal salaries for the same job regardless of 
gender is a basic requirement for an ethical and 
responsible company. At Arla, men and women in the 
same or equivalent jobs receive the same level of pay.
This is ensured through well-defined and fixed salary 
bands across all job categories.

Gender pay ratio is an indicator of where women are 
placed in the company hierarchy. Arla targets complete 
equitable treatment between genders, which would be 
represented by a gender pay ratio of 1.0. In 2021, the 
median male salary at Arla was 3 per cent higher than 
the median female salary, a decrease compared to 5 
per cent last year.

Attracting and retaining the right people are imperative 
to the success of Arla’s business. Employee turnover 
shows the fluctuation in the workforce. Arla aim for  
a stable turnover and recognise that some turnover is 
needed to remain competitive and innovative.

Employee turnover increased to 13 per cent compared 
to 10 per cent last year. The development was driven by 

an increase in voluntary turnover to 10 per cent from 6 
per cent last year. The increase was slightly higher than 
the level for previous years, likely impacted by the 
Covid-19 situation and the unusually low voluntary 
turnover in 2020. The involuntary turnover decreased 
slightly to 3 per cent compared to 4 per cent last year.

ESG Table 2.3 Gender pay ratio

2021

2020

2019

2018

ESG Table 2.4 Employee turnover

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Gender pay ratio

1.03

1.05

1.05

1.06

Voluntary turnover
Involuntary turnover
Total turnover

10%
3%
13%

6%
4%
10%

8%
4%
12%

8%
4%
12%

8%
3%
11%

  Accounting policies

  Uncertainties and estimates

  Accounting policies

The gender pay ratio is defined as the median male 
salary divided by the median female salary. The salary 
used in the calculation includes contractual base 
salaries while pensions and other benefits are not 
included.

The ESG reporting guidelines issued by CFA Society 
Denmark and Nasdaq recommend including the total 
workforce as well as bonus and pension in the equation. 
However, due to data limitations only the gender pay 
ratio for the white-collar workforce is disclosed. It is 
estimated that including blue-collar employees in the 
gender pay ratio  would reduce the gap, as males are 
overrepresented in the blue-collar workforce.

Turnover is broken down by voluntary turnover (i.e. the 
employee decides to leave the company) and involuntary 
turnover (i.e. the employee is dismissed). With such 
differentiation, turnover is an indicator of talent retention 
at Arla and also indicates the efficiency of operations.

Employee turnover is calculated as the ratio of total 
employees leaving to the total number of employees  
in the same period. The figure refers to the number of 
employees and not to FTE.

Turnover is calculated for all employees on a perma-
nent contract and includes several reasons for their 
departure, such as retirement, dismissal and resignation. 
Departures are only included in the calculation from the 
month when remuneration is no longer paid (e.g. some 
tenured employees may be entitled to remuneration for a 
few months after their dismissal).

133 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Social figures
2.5 fOOD SAfETy – NUMBER Of pRODUCT RECALLS

  ZERO pRODUCT RECALLS iN 2021

As a global food company, food safety is key to Arla.  
A core responsibility for Arla is to ensure that products 
are safe for consumers to eat and drink, and that the 
content of the product is clearly and appropriately 
labelled on the packaging. Food safety is also one of the 
most important indicators towards consumers, 
signalling that Arla’s products are produced and 
labelled according to the highest quality standards.

In 2021, no product recalls occurred, while last year 
there was one. Arla is dedicated to ensuring that its 
products are safe to consume and works continuously 
across the value chain, including with suppliers, to 
reduce the number of recalls to as close to zero as 
possible. All product incidents must be dealt with in a 
timely manner to ensure the safety of our consumers 
as well as the legality and quality of products (Arla or 
private label). The handling of all public recall incidents 
follows a detailed and standardised process. Product 
incident management is also tested annually.

ESG Table 2.5 Recalls

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Number of recalls

0

1

4

2

10

fEEDBACK LOOp TO REDUCE ACCiDENTS

Accidents, 
near misses 
and observation 
registered 

Data
shared across
organisation

Number  
of accidents 
reduced

Safety 
improvement
initiatives 
implemented

  Accounting policies

In accordance with ESG reporting standards, product 
recalls are defined as public recalls. A public recall is the 
action taken when products pose a material food safety, 
legal or brand integrity risk. Public recall is only relevant 
if products are available to the consumers in the
marketplace.

2.6 ACCiDENTS

Public recalls are reported as soon as they happen, and 
an incident report must be completed about each 
incident within two weekdays from the first notice of 
the problem. The total number of public recalls is 
reported externally on an annual basis.

ESG Table 2.6 Accidents
(per 1 million working hours)

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Accident frequency

4.3

5.2

6.0

7.9

9.3

  ACCiDENTS REMAiNS KEy pRiORiTy

Arla has a comprehensive and long value chain and 
offers a large variety of jobs across geographies. Our 
employees are key to the success of Arla, and it is our 
ambition to provide all employees with safe and healthy 
working conditions. Arla is committed to preventing 
accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses. 

A systematic approach to target-setting and tracking is 
applied to mitigate risks and reduce problems in an 

ongoing close collaboration with employees across the 
organisation. Accidents resulting in injuries can be 
lost-time accidents (LTAs) as well as non-lost-time 
accidents (minor). The number of LTAs per 1 million 
working hours decreased to 4.3 compared to 5.2 last year. 
The decrease is seen across both logistic and production 
especially in Denmark, Sweden and Finland, but also at 
international sites. The development is a result of 
continued focus on safety awareness through cornerstone.

  Accounting policies

An LTA is a workplace injury sustained by an employee 
while completing work activities that result in the loss of 
one or more days off from work on scheduled working 
days/shifts. An accident is considered a lost-time acci-
dent only when the employee is unable to perform the 
regular duties of the job, takes time off for recovery, or is 
assigned modified work duties for the recovery period.

All employees – both Arla employees and agency 
workers undertaking an Arla job – sustaining injury or 
illness related to the workplace are required to report it 
to their team leader or manager as soon as reasonably 
practical, regardless of severity. 

Most site employees have access to a mobile 
application where they can quickly and easily report 
any accidents. Notification must be done prior to the 
injured party leaving work. Accidents reported after the 
end of the injured party’s working day may not be 
accepted as a workplace accident. The number of 
accidents is reported monthly to the Board of Directors 
and Executive Management Team.

134 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Governance data
3.1 GENDER DiVERSiTy – BOARD Of DiRECTORS

Governance data
3.2 BOARD MEETiNG ATTENDANCE

  SHARE Of fEMALES UNCHANGED fROM LAST yEAR

  MEETiNG ATTENDANCE REMAiNS HiGH 

Gender diversity on the Board of Directors is important, 
partly to ensure that both genders are represented at a 
high level, and partly to bring a variety of perspectives 
to the business. Ensuring gender diversity on the Board 
of Directors is also a legal requirement in Denmark.  
The current Board of Directors consists of 15 farmer 
owners, three employee representatives and two 
external advisors, where only owner representatives are 
elected by the Board of Representatives at the general 
meeting. Four of these 20 board members are female, 
reflecting a ratio of 20 per cent female and 80 per cent 

male which is unchanged compared to last year. In 
accordance with section 99b of the Danish Financial 
Statements Act, only members elected by the Board of 
Representatives can count in the Board of Directors 
figure. In 2021, two of the 15 farmer owners on the 
Board of Directors were female which equates to a 
composition of 13 per cent female and 87 per cent 
male, which is unchanged compared to last year.In 
2021, Arla set a new four-year target to achieve a 
female representation on the Board of Directors of at 
least 20 per cent. In 2021, the target was not achieved.

ESG Table 3.1 Gender diversity on Board of Directors

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Share of females on the Board of Directors

13%

13%

13%

13%

12%

Attendance at the board meetings by the members  
of the Board of Directors ensures that all Arla’s owners 
and employees are represented when important 
strategic decisions are made. Arla’s board members are 
very dedicated, and as a general rule all board members 
attend all meetings unless they are prevented from 
doing so due to health reasons.

In 2021, board attendance remained at the same level 
last year. Information on board members can be found 
on pages 42-44.

ESG Table 3.2 Board meeting attendance

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Number of meetings
Attendance

12
98%

10
99%

10
96%

13
99%

9
99%

  Accounting policies

  Accounting policies

The gender diversity ratio is calculated as the share of 
female members as at 31 December. It includes only 
members of the Board of Directors elected by the 

general meeting and excludes employee representatives 
and advisors to the Board of Directors. 

The board meeting attendance ratio is calculated as  
the  sum of regular board meetings attended per board 
member and the total possible attendance.

The current Board of Directors consists of three 
employee representatives, two external advisors and 15 
owners. When calculating board meeting attendance, 
all 20 board members are included.

135 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Notes

Contents

Governance data
3.3 GENERAL ACCOUNTiNG pOLiCiES

Basis for preparation
The environmental, social and governance (ESG) report 
is based on ongoing monthly and annual reporting 
procedures. The consolidation principles are based on 
operational control unless described separately in the 
definition section of each ESG note. All reported data 
follows the same reporting period as the consolidated 
financial statements.

Materiality
When presenting the ESG report, management 
focuses on presenting information that is considered of 
material importance to Arla’s stakeholders, or which is 
recommended to be reported by relevant professional 
groups or authorities.

During 2021, we updated our materiality analysis, 
which is now based on the concept of double
materiality. This means that we are exploring the impact 
Arla has on stakeholders in relation to social, environ-
mental or economic issues, as well as the impact of 
these issues on Arla’s business.

Each topic in the materiality matrix (see graphic) 
represents a wider agenda and underlying issues, which 
are identified from relevant ESG/sustainability 
frameworks, and qualified through insights from Arla’s 
strategy process. Based on input from different expert 
groups within the Arla value chain, a draft matrix was 
prepared and sent out to a wider group of selected 
external and internal stakeholders for further comments 
and dialogue. The external stakeholders include top 20 
customers, elected farmer owners, NGOs and financial 
institutions in Denmark, Sweden, the UK and Central 
Europe. 

The 2021 update showed that food safety is still the top 
priority for both external and internal stakeholders. 
Other areas, which are still highly prioritised are animal 
care and greenhouse gas emissions.

The above priorities are reflected throughout the 
annual report: Animal welfare (page 26 and the CSR 
report), governance principles (pages 46-56) and 
diversity policies (page 55) are reported at length, while 

in the ESG report, data and accounting policies related 
to Arla’s greenhouse gas emissions (Note 1.1), animal 
welfare (Note 1.5), food safety (Note 2.5), waste (Note 
1.3) and diversity (Notes 2.2 and 2.3) are presented, 
making Arla’s business more transparent and 
accountable.

The figures disclosed in the consolidated ESG data 
section were chosen based on the materiality analysis, 
but also consider the maturity of data to ensure high 
data quality on each KPI. In some cases, it was 
concluded that current data tracking or collection 
capabilities do not provide sufficient data quality to 
satisfy disclosure to the highest standards, despite the 
fact that the figures could be of material importance to 
stakeholders. In these cases eg. recyclability in 
packaging, the necessary steps to improve data 
tracking and collection have been initiated. In the 
coming years, plans are to widen the scope of reporting 
to fully comply with best practice in ESG reporting.

Reporting scope
Environmental KPIs (Notes 1.1-1.4) included data from 
all production and logistical sites. This, together with 
milk, external waste handling, external transport and 
packaging cover all material activities in Arla’s value 
chain. The environmental impact related to offices, 
business travel and other less material activities was not 
included in the total emission figure. This scope also 
applies to the accident KPI, Note 2.6, however accidents 
at head offices in Denmark, the UK, Sweden and 
Germany were also included.

Comparison figures
In line with ESG reporting guidelines, environmental 
data is presented in absolute figures to ensure 
comparability. Where relevant, a measure for progress 
towards Arla’s previously communicated internal 
targets is included. Baselines and comparison figures 
are restated according to Arla’s restatement policy. By 
default, Arla’s baseline emissions are reviewed every 
five years from the target base year (2020, 2025, 2030),
if no significant structural or methodological changes 
trigger a recalculation before. Every five years, Arla 
assesses if the structural changes (e.g. acquisitions or 

divestments) in the past years reach the significance 
threshold when added together in a cumulative 
manner. Each year, Arla assesses if the structural 
changes that year reach the significance threshold  
(see below) by themselves or when added together.

A threshold is defined for each Science Based Target:
•   Scope 1 and 2: 5 per cent change compared to the 

base year

•    Scope 3 per kg of raw milk: 3 per cent change 

compared to the base year

When the baseline emissions are recalculated due to 
significant structural changes in the company (as 
defined above), historic figures are also recalculated and 
reported alongside the non-recalculated (actual) 
historic emission figures. This provides the reader with 
more clarity to understand Arla’s actual emissions each 
year. Other externally reported ESG KPIs are only 
restated if material mistakes in the previous years’ 
reporting are discovered. The materiality of mistakes is 
determined on a case-by-case basis.

MATERiALiTy ANALySiS

l
a
i
t
n
e
s
s
E

h
g
H

i

i

m
u
d
e
M

w
o
L

S
R
E
D
L
O
H
E
K
A
T
S
N
O
T
C
A
p
M
I

•  Food  

Safety

•  Animal Care

•  Greenhouse 

gas emissions

and quality on farms

•   Water availability  
•  Water availability and 

quality on dairy sites

• Packaging

•  Air pollution
•  Responsible sourcing•  Affordable  
•  Healthy soils

Food

•  Waste

•  Biodiversity & nature
•  Healthy Foods
•  Transparent & accountable 
• Respect Human rights

business

•  Product  

innovation

•  Natural products  

incl. organic

•  Diversity  

&  Inclusion

• Innovation

• Farmer development 

•  Safe & Healthy  

work

•  Local community 

engagement

•  Product information 

supp. Informed  
choices

• Supply chain efficiency
• Attractive employer

• Digitalisation

Low

Medium

High

Essential

IMpORTANCE TO ARLA

 
 
136 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) data   /   Independent Auditor’s reasonable Assurance Report

Contents

INDEpENDENT AUDiTOR’S REASONABLE ASSURANCE REpORT

TO THE STAKEHOLDERS Of ARLA fOODS AMBA

We have been engaged by Arla Foods amba to perform 
a reasonable assurance engagement, as defined by 
International Standards on Assurance Engagements, 
hereafter referred to as the engagement, to report on 
Arla’s environmental, social and governance figures in 
the ESG statements (the ‘Subject Matter’) contained in 
the annual report on pages 121-135 for the period 
1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 (the ‘Report’).  

Criteria applied by Arla
In preparing the Subject Matter, Arla applied the criteria 
described on pages 121-135 (the ‘Criteria’). The Subject 
Matter needs to be read and understood together with 
the reporting criteria, which management is solely 
responsible for selecting and applying. As a result, the 
subject matter information may not be suitable for 
another purpose.
The absence of an established practice on which to 
derive, evaluate and measure the Subject Matter allows 
for different, but acceptable, measurement techniques 
and can affect comparability between entities and over 
time.  

Management’s responsibilities 
Arla’s management is responsible for selecting the 
Criteria, and for presenting the Subject Matter in 
accordance with that Criteria, in all material respects. 
This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining 
internal controls, maintaining adequate records and 
making estimates that are relevant to the preparation of 
the subject matter, such that it is free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibilities
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
presentation of the Subject Matter based on the 
evidence we have obtained. 

We conducted our engagement in accordance with the 
International Standard for Assurance Engagements 
Other Than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial 
Information (‘ISAE 3000’) and additional requirements 
under Danish audit legislation. Those standards require 
that we plan and perform our engagement to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether, in all material 
respects, the Subject Matter is presented in accordance 
with the Criteria, and to issue a report. The nature, 
timing, and extent of the procedures selected depend 
on our judgment, including an assessment of the risk of 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

Our independence and quality control 
We have maintained our independence and confirm 
that we have met the requirements of the Code of 
Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by the 
International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants 
and additional requirements applicable in Denmark and 
have the required competencies and experience to 
conduct this assurance engagement.

EY Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab is subject to the 
International Standard on Quality Control (ISQC) 1 and 
thus uses a comprehensive quality control system, 
documented policies and procedures regarding 
compliance with ethical requirements, professional 
standards and applicable requirements in Danish law 
and other regulations.

Description of procedures performed
As part of our examination, our procedures included:
•   Interviews with relevant personnel to understand the 
business and reporting process during the reporting 
period, including the process for collecting, collating 
and reporting the Subject Matter and inspected 
relevant documentation

•   Checking that the calculation criteria have  

been correctly applied in accordance with the 
methodologies outlined in the Criteria

•   Undertaking analytical procedures to support the 

reasonableness of the Subject Matter

•   Identifying and on a sample basis testing assump-
tions supporting calculations of environmental 
figures on pages124-129.

•    When feasible testing, on a sample basis, underlying 

source information to check the completeness 
and the accuracy of the data. When not possible to 
obtain underlying source information, performing 
procedures such as recalculation and comparison to 
financial metrics or statistical modelling to confirm 
the logic of data

•   Performing two physical site visits in Denmark and 
Germany and two virtual site visits in Argentina and 
the UK to visually inspect operations, make inquiries, 
test that processes and controls are conducted in line 
with our understanding, inspect documents on a 
sample basis and evaluate if site follows group 
reporting guidelines

•   Interviews with external specialists responsible for 
providing input to the calculations of the animal 
welfare and farmer climate data to evaluate the 
competence, capabilities and objectivity as well as 
evaluate whether the results of the external 
specialist’s work are adequate for our purposes

•   Evaluating the consistency of the information in the 
Subject Matter with the information in the annual 
report which is not included in the scope of our 
examinations 

We also performed such other procedures as we 
considered necessary in the circumstances.

We believe that the evidence we have obtained is 
sufficient and appropriate to provide a reasonable  
basis for our opinion.

Conclusion 
In our opinion, Arla’s environmental, social and 
governance figures in the ESG statements for the 
period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 are 
presented, in all material respects, in accordance with 
the criteria described on pages 121-135.   

Aarhus, 9 February 2022
EY Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab 
CVR no. 30700228

Henrik Kronborg Iversen
State Authorised Public 
Accountant
MNE no. 24687

Carina Ohm
Partner
Head of Climate Change 
and Sustainability Services

137 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Glossary

Contents

GLOSSARy

Arlagården® is the name of our quality  
assurance programme.

CPI is an abbreviation of Consumer Price Index.

FMCG is an acronym for fast-moving consumer 
goods.

BEPS is an acronym referring to base erosion and 
profit shifting. These are tax avoidance strategies 
that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules to 
artificially shift profits to low or no-tax locations.

Biogas is the mixture of gases produced by the 
breakdown of organic matter in the absence of 
oxygen, primarily consisting of methane and 
carbon dioxide. At Arla, biogas is primarily produced 
from cow manure.

Biomass is plant or animal material used for 
energy production. It can be purposely grown 
energy crops, wood or forest residues, waste from 
food crops, horticulture, food processing, animal 
farming, or human waste from sewage plants. 

Brand share measures revenue from strategic 
brands as a proportion of total revenue, and is 
defined as the ratio of revenue from strategic 
branded products to total revenue.

CAPEX is an abbreviation of capital expenditure.

Capacity cost is defined as the cost of running 
the general business, and includes staff costs, 
maintenance, energy, cleaning, IT, travel and 
consultancy etc.

Carbon sequestration refers to a natural or 
artificial process by which carbon dioxide is 
removed from the atmosphere and held in solid  
or liquid form.

Digital engagement is defined as the number  
of interactions consumers have across digital 
channels. The interaction is measured in a number 
of different ways, for example, by viewing a video 
on all media channels for more than 10 seconds, 
visiting a webpage, commenting, liking or sharing 
on our social media channels.

Digital reach is defined as engagement with Arla’s 
digitial content, i.e. spending more than 2 minutes 
on our website, watching our videos to the end on 
YouTube, and liking or commenting on content on 
our social media platforms.

EBIT is an abbreviation of earnings before interest 
and tax, and is a measure of earnings from 
operations.

EBITDA is an abbreviation of earnings before 
interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation from 
ordinary operations.

EBIT margin measures EBIT as a percentage of 
total revenue.

EMEA is an acronym referring to Europe,  
the Middle East and Africa.

Equity ratio is the ratio of equity, excluding 
minority interests, to total assets, and is a measure 
of the financial strength of Arla.

Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from 
operating activities after deducting cash flow from 
investing activities.

FTE is an acronym for full-time equivalents. FTEs 
are defined as the contractual working hours of an  
employee compared to a full-time contract in the 
same position and country. The FTE figure is used 
to measure the active workforce counted in 
full-time positions. An FTE of 1.0 is equivalent to a 
full-time worker, while an FTE of 0.5 equals half of 
the full workload.

GDPR is an acronym for the General Data 
Protection Regulation, which regulates data 
protection and privacy in the European Union (EU) 
and the European Economic Area (EEA). It also 
addresses the transfer of personal data outside the 
EU and EEA areas. The GDPR aims primarily to give 
control to individuals over their personal data and 
to simplify the regulatory environment for 
international business by unifying the regulation 
within the EU.

Global industry share is a measure of the total 
milk consumption for producing commodity 
products relative to the total milk consumption, i.e. 
based on volumes. Commodity products are sold 
with lower or no value added, typically via business- 
to-business sales for other companies to use in 
their production as well as via industry sales of 
cheese, butter or milk powder.

Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) provides 
accounting and reporting standards, sector 
guidance, calculation tools to account for 
greenhouse gas emissions. It establishes a 
comprehensive, global, standardised framework for 
measuring and managing emissions from private 
and public sector operations, value chains, 
products, cities, and policies.

Incoterms refer to International Commercial 
Terms. These are a series of pre-defined commercial 
terms published by the International Chamber of 
Commerce (ICC) relating to international commercial 
law. They are widely used in international commercial 
transactions or procurement processes and their 
use is encouraged by trade councils, courts and 
international lawyers.

Innovation pipeline is defined as the net 
incremental revenue generated from innovation 
projects up to 36 months from their launch.

Interest cover is the ratio of EBITDA to net 
interest costs.

International share of business is defined as the 
revenue from the International zone as a percentage 
of of revenue from the International and Europe 
zones.

Lactalbumin, also known as ‘whey protein’, is the  
albumin contained in milk and obtained from 
whey.

 
138 

Arla Foods Consolidated Annual Report 2021   /   Glossary

Contents

GLOSSARy / CONTiNUED

Leverage is the ratio of net interest-bearing debt, 
inclusive of pension liabilities, to EBITDA. It enables 
evaluation of the ability to support future debt and 
obligations; the long-term target range for leverage 
is between 2.8 and 3.4.

MENA is an acronym referring to the Middle East 
and North Africa.

Meal kits are a subscription service-foodservice 
business model where a company sends customers 
pre-portioned and sometimes partially prepared 
food ingredients and recipes to prepare homecooked 
meals.

Milk volume is defined as total intake of raw milk 
in kg from owners and contractors.

M&A is an abbreviation of mergers and 
acquisitions.

Net interest-bearing debt is defined as current 
and non-current interest-bearing liabilities less 
securities, cash and cash equivalents, and other 
interest-bearing assets.

Net interest-bearing debt inclusive of 
pension liabilities is defined as current and 
non-current interest-bearing liabilities less 
securities, cash and cash equivalents, and other 
interest-bearing assets plus pension liabilities.

Net working capital is the capital tied up in 
inventories, receivables and payables including 
payables for owner milk.

Net working capital excluding owner milk is 
defined as capital that is tied up in inventories, 
receivables and payables excluding payables for  
owner milk.

Non-GMO means non-genetically modified 
organisms, for example non-genetically modified 
feed crops for cows. 

OCI is an acronym for other comprehensive 
income. OCI includes revenue, expenses, gains, and 
losses that have yet to be realised. 

OECD refers to the Organisation for Economic 
Cooperation and Development.

On-the-go refers to food consumed while on the 
go, and also to packaging solutions supporting this 
food consumption trend.

Other supported brands are brands other than 
Arla®, Lurpak®, Puck®, Castello® and milk-based 
branded beverages that contribute to strategic 
branded volume driven revenue growth. 

Private label refers to retail brands, which are 
owned by retailers but produced by Arla based on 
contract manufacturing agreements.

Profit margin is a measure of profitability. It is the 
amount by which revenue from sales exceeds 
costs in a business.

Profit share is defined as the ratio of profit for the 
period allocated to owners of Arla Foods, to total 
revenue.

QEHS stands for Quality, Environmental, Health, 
and Safety. It is a department within Arla’s supply 
chain safeguarding the quality and safety of 
production.

SEA is an acronym referring to South-East Asia.

SMP is an abbreviation of skimmed milk powder.

Strategic brands are defined as products sold 
under branded products such as Arla®, Lurpak®, 
Castello® and Puck®.

Performance price for Arla Foods is defined as 
the prepaid milk price plus net profit divided by 
total member milk volume intake. It measures the 
value creation per kg of owner milk including 
retained earnings and supplementary payments.

Strategic branded volume driven revenue 
growth is defined as revenue growth associated 
with growth in volumes from strategic branded 
products while keeping prices constant. It is also 
referred to in the report as branded volume growth.

Prepaid milk price describes the cash payment 
farmers receive per kg of milk delivered during the 
settlement period.

USD-related currencies are currencies which 
move in the same direction as the USD (i.e. when 
the USD depreciates versus the EUR, they also 
depreciate versus the EUR). Currencies in the 
MENA region and the Chinese yen are typical 
examples. 

Value-added protein segment contains products 
with special functionality and compounds, 
compared to standard protein concentrates with  
a protein content of approximately 80 per cent.

Volume driven revenue growth is defined as 
revenue growth associated with growth in volumes 
while keeping prices constant.

Whey protein hydrolysate is a concentrate or 
isolate in which some of the amino bonds have 
been broken by exposure of the proteins to heat, 
acids or enzymes. This pre-digestion means that 
hydrolysed proteins are more rapidly absorbed in 
the gut than either whey concentrates or isolates.

WMP is an abbreviation referring to whole milk 
powder.

Project management: Corporate external reporting, Arla. Design and production: We Love People. Translation: Semantix.
Photos: Kristian Holm, Jens Bangsbo, Hans-Henrik Hoeg and Arla. The Annual Report is published in English, Danish, Swedish, German, 
French and Dutch. Only the original English text is legally binding. The translations have been prepared for practical purposes.

Financial reports  
and major events

23-24

fEBRUARy
Board of representatives  
meeting

24

fEBRUARy
Publication of the  
consolidated annual report  
for 2021

25

30

MAy
Board of Representatives 
Election

AUGUST
Publication of the  
consolidated half-year  
results for 2022

5-6

OCTOBER
Board of Representatives  
Meeting

Contents

CORpORATE  
CALENDAR 2022

Arla Foods amba
Sønderhøj 14
DK-8260 Viby J. 
Denmark
CVR no.: 25 31 37 63

Arla Foods UK plc 
4 Savannah Way
Leeds Valley Park
Leeds, LS10 1 AB
England

Phone +45 89 38 10 00
E-mail arla@arlafoods.com

Phone +44 113 382 7000
E-mail arla@arlafoods.com

www.arla.com

www.arlafoods.co.uk