APBO and Bel Group enhance milk price, increase collection volumes and accelerate decarbonization Initiatives for 2025
The Association de Producteurs Bel de l’Ouest (APBO) and Bel Group have redefined their partnership framework for 2025, focusing on two major aspects around fair labor valuation and ambitious carbon reduction objectives.
Since 2017, this partnership has been a pioneering initiative, predating France’s EGAlim laws, both in terms of scope and longevity. Each year the two parties establish a milk purchase price and collection volume for the upcoming year, creating the stability necessary to implement sustainable farming practices. This collaboration has been instrumental in driving meaningful change in milk production and broader agricultural practices toward sustainability.
The 8th agreement, concluded on December 2, 2024, not only increases the milk price and collection volumes but also introduces an intensified focus on transitioning farms toward sustainability. Thanks to earlier agreements, and in a few years, all APBO farms have adopted sustainable practices that enhance the value of MonBBLait® milk used in iconic Bel products like Mini Babybel®, Kiri®, Boursin®, and Cousteron®: 100% French milk, from pasture-fed dairy cows [1] and non-GMO feed. For this new agreement, Bel Group and APBO have incorporated 8 new optional levers to reduce the carbon impact of member farms, each associated to a bonus. This “MonBBLait® durable” system will be deployed starting June 1, 2025.
Enhanced Milk Prices to Support Labor Reassessment and Foster Transition
For 2025, the average MonBBLait® 38/32 price for conventional milk will be structured as follows:
- €479/1,000L including non-GMO feed (<0.9%), access to pasture, and labor revaluation incorporated into the base price calculation, with an increase of €27 / 1,000 L, representing a 21.7% rise to 2024.
- An unprecedented “MonBBLait® durable” program including 8 new optional levers supported by estimated average bonus of €12/1,000L from June 1, 2025.
This results in an estimated average MonBBLait® durable 38/32 price of €485 /1,000 L for 2025.
For MonBBLait® price, labor cost has also been enhanced, with the price set at €550/1,000L for 2025.
This fairer pricing is a cornerstone of the renewed partnership, which has now been extended for the 8th time. By ensuring just remuneration, the agreement supports sustainable production and the long-term viability of farms. It provides farmers financial predictability through an annual price structure and recognition of their efforts, fostering a positive and forward-looking environment. Launch of the MonBBLait® durable Program with8 New Carbon-Reduction Practices
Since 2018, the MonBBLait® specifications have required pasture access and non-GMO feed. For 2025, these specifications evolve significantly to further reduce carbon emissions across APBO’s 670 member farms.
This new “MonBBLait® durable,” program reinforces the ambitious carbon footprint reduction strategy initiated in 2020 through the CAP2’ER® system and training programs carried out by all members.
The updated specifications offer eight optional carbon-reduction practices, allowing producers to select measures tailored to their operations:
- Soil coverage practices
- Zero deforestation and local feed, eliminating soybean meal and palm oil
- Preservation and planting of hedgerows
- Protein self-sufficiency through on-farm concentrate production, favoring the cultivation of protein crops
- Forage-based protein self-sufficiency, optimizing grass, mixed crops, and forage legumes like alfalfa
- Methane-reducing feeds like flax
- Methane-reducing feed supplements
- Measurement of enteric methane to promote mitigation strategies.
Participation is voluntary, enabling farms to leverage existing sustainable practices while introducing new initiatives.
The updated framework will operate on a points system, with thresholds and caps for each measure. Premiums are estimated at €12/1,000 liters on average, with advanced farms earning up to €25/1,000 liters for significant decarbonization progress. The revised specifications take effect on June 1, 2025.Increased Milk Collection Volumes
The agreed price applies to all milk processed in Bel facilities, encompassing 431 million liters, a 10-million-liter increase from 2024. This growth reflects Bel’s commitment to supporting the French dairy sector and fueling the dynamic production of its flagship brands, notably Mini Babybel, produced at the Evron plant in Mayenne. Frédéric Dorilleau, President of the APBO: “This agreement marks significant progress in labor valuation within the base price structure. It recognizes the dedication of farmers already committed to sustainable practices and provides further incentives for advancing decarbonization efforts. This is vital for ensuring the longevity of our sector and addressing broader societal challenges.”
Anne-Sophie Carrier, General Manager of Bel France: “This eighth agreement demonstrates our common desire to move forward. By increasing milk prices, collection volumes, and introducing new decarbonization premiums, we solidify our vision of an efficient and sustainable food transition. We remain dedicated to fostering value-creating partnership with retailers as we shape the food model of tomorrow.”
