32nd-annual Dairy Foods Top 100 list: Stability at the top

How we compiled the list
We began our research by contacting all of the company’s on last year’s Dairy 100 list to request information, including their 2024 (or most recent) revenues and any other updates. We also requested information from companies that almost made last year’s list or underwent a growth spurt in 2024.

For public companies that did not respond to us, we relied on publicly available information regarding revenues. For private companies and cooperatives that did not respond after repeated attempts, we estimated revenue — relying, in part, on company news and sources that include but are not limited to reports from Forbes, Circana, annual reports, and other publications. If this information was unavailable, we estimated revenues based upon prior information with a consumer price index increase due to inflation.

For the 32nd edition of our Top 100 Dairy processor list, Dairy Foods’ industry-leading list of the Top 100 dairy companies/dairy processors in the United States, we congratulate Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), for once again claiming the No. 1 spot. Under the leadership of President and CEO Dennis Rodenbaugh, DFA posted $23 billion in net revenue for 2024.

One clarification is needed, however. Last year, we reported Land O’Lakes total cooperative revenue at $16.8 billion. But this year, the Arden Hills, Minn.-based company’s reported dairy revenues of $5.1 billion, not total coop revenue, so we are presenting it differently this time.

Within the Top 10 list, Danone North America moved up from No. 7 (and revenue of $6.889 billion in 2023) to No. 5 with revenue surpassing the $7.7 billion mark for the White Plains, N.Y., and Louisville, Colo.-based yogurt manufacturer.

Other notable changes on the list included New York-based Chobani’s, which went from No. 25 on last year’s list to No. 22 with $3 billion in reported revenue in 2024. The company is seeing continued growth in its yogurt and coffee creamer sales while expanding into other product lines such as ready-to-drink (RTD) STōK Cold Brew Coffee.

Ascending in the ranking to the No. 17 spot is fairlife, a division of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. fairlife, well known for its high protein, ultrafiltered milk and RTD sports nutrition beverages, posted $4 billion in 2024 revenues. Also clocking in at No. 17 was Great Lakes Cheese Co., Hiram, Ohio, which produces many natural cheeses, specialty cheese and whey products.

Also enjoying strong revenue growth is California Dairies Inc. (CDI). The Visalia, Calif.-based cooperative earned $4.5 billion in revenues in 2024, a solid gain compared to $4.3 billion in 2023. CDI now holds the No. 15 slot on our list.

In May, CDI opened a new state-of-the-art 200,000-square-foot greenfield facility manufacturing plant, Valley Natural Beverages in Bakersfield, Calif., to meet the growing demand for more shelf-stable aseptic and extended shelf life milk for the U.S. and international markets. This could improve their future ranking on next year’s Dairy Top 100 list.

Among the Top 50, another company seeing a strong move upward was Maola Local Dairies. The Herndon, Va.-based company, a division of the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, gained three spots this year to No. 37, as its revenues grew from $1.23 billion in 2023 to $1.411 billion in 2024.

Within the bottom Top 50, Lifeway Foods, Morton Grove, Ill., continues to expand its global footprint. The manufacturer of kefir and fermented probiotic products that support the microbiome, jumped from No. 91 (and net 2023 revenue of $160.1 million) to No. 85 and net revenue of $186.8 million in 2024.

Ascending eight spots from No. 64 to No. 55 was Coopersville, Mich.-based Continental Dairy Facilities, which posted 2024 revenue of nearly $542 million compared to $451 million the prior year.

Family-owned and -operated Joseph Gallo Cheese Co., Atwater, Calif., also experienced steady growth from $154 million (No. 92) to $172 million and No. 87 on the list.

Sartori Cheese, Plymouth, Wis., like many privately held companies, did not respond to requests for updated revenue numbers. Yet, Dairy Foods can assume that based on its acquisition of family-owned Rumanio Cheese, the company from the “Cheese Capital of the World” will be furthering its bottom line.

With a 2024 net revenue of $236 million, Hershey’s Creamery Co. saw slightly declining net revenue over 2023, when the Harrisburg, Pa.-based ice cream processor reported $266 million in revenue. It descended two spots, from No. 78 to No. 80.

Dairy Foods welcomes a few new companies to the Dairy Top 100. James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Jeni Britton-Bauer, who founded Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in 2002, turned a $40,000 loan into a $125 million business. No. 91 on the list, the ice cream and frozen novelty company continues to expand due to its hand-crafted and unique ice cream flavors, more than 65 “Scoop Shops” in 15 states and the District of Columbia, and a robust distribution and online presence.

New to the list and clocking it at No. 88 with 2024 net revenue of $165 million, Nasonville Dairy brings in a ton of high-quality raw milk — 1.8 million pounds a day, or 534 million pounds annually, to produce 42 varieties of premium cheese in Marshfield, Wis, Three processing plants have been family owned and operated primarily by the three Heiman brothers — Ken, CEO, Kelvin, manager of Transportation and Distribution, and Kim, manager of Plant Operations — since the late 1960s.

Farmer Owned Since 1903, Wesby Cooperative Creamery is a newcomer to the list at No.99 with 2024 revenue of $65 million. As the only cottage cheese processor in the state of Wisconsin, Westby Creamery churns out 1.1 million pounds of award-winning regular and organic cottage cheese each month. The creamery also manufactures regular and organic sour cream and bulk yogurt. With a $14 million plant expansion underway, the Westby, Wis., facility is set to double production.

Top 10 in 2024 (for 2023 revenue)
1. Dairy Farmers of America Inc.

2. Land O’Lakes Inc.

3. Saputo Inc.

4. Nestlé North America

5. Savencia Fromage & Dairy, U.S. operations

6. Schreiber Foods Inc.

7. Danone North America

8. Lactalis USA

9. Agropur

10. Rich Products Corp.

Top 10 in 2025 (for 2024 revenue)
1. Dairy Farmers of America Inc.

2. Saputo Inc.

3. Nestlé North America

4. Savencia Fromage & Dairy, U.S. operations

5. Danone North America

6. Schreiber Foods Inc.

7. Lactalis USA

8. Agropur

9. Rich Products Corp.

10. Grupo LALA