What Molkerei Söbbeke does

Molkerei Söbbeke GmbH is a German organic dairy producer founded in 1988 by Paul Söbbeke and headquartered in Gronau-Epe, North Rhine-Westphalia. The company manufactures and sells organic dairy products — including natural and fruit yogurts, quark, milk, cream, kefir, desserts (puddings, Rote Grütze), and a handcrafted cheese line — under its own brand, and operates as a subsidiary within the corporate group identified as Groupe SAVENCIA Saveurs & Spécialités. Söbbeke sources milk exclusively from approximately 160 regional Bioland and Demeter contract farmers in NRW and Lower Saxony, and runs its own village dairy (Dorfkäserei) in Rosendahl where master cheesemakers manually handle each cheese wheel 40-50 times during 6-8 weeks of maturation, applying proprietary affineering recipes using ingredients such as oak bark extract, herbal blends, and cranberry-herb mixtures.

The product portfolio spans core everyday dairy (Bio Naturjoghurt, Bio Weidemilch Cremejoghurt, Bio Speisequark, Bio Sahnekefir), differentiated clean-label lines (Pur Bio fruit yogurts with only three ingredients), premium Demeter-certified products (Demeter Naturjoghurt from unhomogenised milk, Uriger Hannes cheese), and seasonal/limited-edition SKUs (Waldkäse, Schwarzer Wenzel, Winter Wenzel, Wiesenkräuterkäse, Bio Rocker). The "Uriger Hannes" Demeter sliced cheese won Super Gold at the World Cheese Award 2023. Product prices are publicly disclosed at retail, with Pur Bio fruit yogurt 500g glass at €1.99 UVP, Demeter Naturjoghurt 500g glass at €1.59 UVP, Uriger Hannes sliced cheese 100g at €2.59–€3.19 UVP, and prepack convenience cheeses at €3.79 per 150g.

Söbbeke distributes primarily through the German organic specialist trade (Naturkostfachhandel), where it self-describes as market leader for Naturjoghurt and Fruchtjoghurt im Glas, and through selected food retail chains (Lebensmitteleinzelhandel), supplemented by a direct-to-consumer factory outlet (Werksverkauf) in Gronau open Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Day-to-day operations are led by Managing Director Markus Hedderich. The company maintains an active PR and content presence through zeron GmbH and a recurring charity-linked marketing strategy (Winter Wenzel donations to Burkina Faso school and PRIMAKLIMA e.V. reforestation), reinforcing its sustainability positioning within the German organic dairy market.

Name

Molkerei Söbbeke

Legal name

Molkerei Söbbeke GmbH

Website

https://soebbeke.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Molkerei Söbbeke is a German organic dairy producer founded in 1988, headquartered in Gronau-Epe, that manufactures yogurt, cheese, milk, quark, cream, and desserts from Bioland and Demeter milk sourced from 160 regional farmers, selling primarily through the German organic specialist trade and selected food retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Dairy Products

NAICS

Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned) Merchant Wholesalers (424430)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Yogurt & Cultured Dairy Products Manufacturing (Kefir, Sour Cream, Labneh) (AFAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Drinkable Yogurt & Cultured Dairy Beverages (Lassi, Ayran, Probiotic Dairy) (AFAFAEAC), Drinkable Yogurt & Kefir Manufacturing (AFAHADAC), Milk Kefir & Cultured Dairy Drink Production (AFAFAHAC), Drinkable Yogurt & Kefir Beverages (Probiotic Shots, Smoothie-Style) (AFAHAIAC), Dairy-Based Beverage Wholesale (Milk Drinks, Yogurt Drinks) (AFAIAGAG)

Keywords

• Organic dairy products
• Artisan cheese making
• Meadow milk yogurt
• Bio dairy manufacturing
• Demeter certified dairy

Headquarters

HQ city

Gronau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Organic Dairy Product Sales: Molkerei Söbbeke generates revenue primarily through the manufacture and sale of organic dairy products — including yogurt, quark, milk, cream, desserts, and cheese — to organic specialist retailers and food retail chains. Products are sold as branded consumer goods in retail packaging (glass jars, cups, wrappers). The company operates a direct-to-consumer factory outlet as a supplementary channel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Molkerei Söbbeke manufactures and sells premium organic dairy products sourced exclusively from 160 regional Bioland and Demeter contract farmers in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The product range spans natural yogurts, fruit yogurts, Greek-style layered yogurts, handcrafted specialty cheeses (Schnittkäse, seasonal varieties), quark, cream, kefir, UHT milk, and desserts including puddings and Rote Grütze, all free from added flavourings, colourings, and thickeners.

Product overview

Molkerei Söbbeke is an organic dairy company (Biomolkerei) based in Gronau-Epe, Germany, producing a comprehensive range of dairy products including yogurts, cheeses, desserts, and fresh dairy. The core product lines include: (1) Yogurt portfolio spanning Naturjoghurt (natural), Cremejoghurt (creamy), fruit yogurts, Greek-style yogurts, and ABC yogurts with probiotic cultures; (2) Cheese offerings featuring handcrafted varieties like Wilder Bernd, Grienkenschmied, Uriger Hannes (award-winning), Waldkäse, and seasonal specialties; (3) Desserts including pudding, semolina pudding (Grießpudding), and Rote Grütze; (4) Fresh dairy products like quark, crème fraîche, cream, and kefir; (5) Premium Demeter-certified products; and (6) Special seasonal and limited-edition products. The company sources milk from 160 regional Bioland-contract farmers in NRW and Niedersachsen and operates its own cheese dairy in Rosendahl.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bio Rocker: Cheese product launched in cooperation with rock'n'popmuseum and Udo Lindenberg Foundation, with €1 per kilogram sold donated to the Udo Lindenberg Foundation for the Panik Prize 2026
• Pur Bio
• Uriger Hannes
• Waldkäse
• Schwarzer Wenzel

Products and services

• Joghurt griechischer Art auf Frucht Greek-style organic yogurt with a layered texture — creamy yogurt on top, fruit preparation on bottom — available in Honey, Orange, and Fig with Sunflower Seeds varieties.
• Bio-Weidemilch Joghurt Pasture-milk yogurt made from premium Bioland milk from NRW and Lower Saxony, available in fruit flavors including Kiwi-Stachelbeere, Himbeere, and Mango-Vanille.
• Pur Bio Fruchtjoghurt Minimal-ingredient organic fruit yogurts containing only creamy stirred yogurt, domestic beet sugar, and ripe fruits — no thickeners, flavours, colours, or additives.
• Bio Naturjoghurt Natural Bioland yogurt in 1.5% and 3.8% fat variants with pure mild-sour taste and gentle processing.
• Bio ABC Joghurt Natural yogurt with probiotic cultures L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, and L. casei for digestive health; available in 400g and 4x125g multipack formats.
• Bio Demeter Naturjoghurt Premium organic yogurt from Demeter farms, made from unhomogenized fresh whole milk with mild taste and traditional production methods.
• Bio Weidemilch Cremejoghurt mild Extra creamy Bioland yogurt available in Stracciatella, Himbeere, and Mango-Mousse varieties.
• Bio Weidemilch Sahnekefir Creamy kefir made with traditional Söbbeke recipe and active cultures, in fruit flavors including Pfirsich-Maracuja, Blaubeere, Himbeere, and Mango-Vanille.
• Bio Schnittkäse Wilder Bernd Premium organic cutting cheese affineed with 2-year aged spelt and oak bark extract; aged 8 weeks and handmade in the company's own Dorfkäserei. Naturally lactose-free.
• Bio Schnittkäse Grienkenschmied Handmade organic cutting cheese affineed with an herb mixture of Schabziger Klee, Brennnessel (nettle), and parsley.
• Waldkäse Forest-flavour organic cheese with nutty porcini mushrooms, spicy onions, juniper, and light pepper notes.
• Schwarzer Wenzel Aged hard cheese matured 12 months on spruce boards with strong-spicy taste, positioned as an alternative to Parmesan. 50% fat i.Tr.
• Uriger Hannes Demeter-quality organic cutting cheese with blueberries and herb mixture; Super Gold winner at the World Cheese Award 2023. 50% fat i.Tr.
• Bio Rocker Organic cheese developed in cooperation with the rock'n'popmuseum for the Udo Lindenberg exhibition; refined with garlic, turmeric, and ginger; 80 days aged on spruce boards. €1 per kg sold supports the Udo Lindenberg Foundation's Panik-Preis.
• Wiesenkräuterkäse Seasonal organic cheese with herbs from spring meadows — Quendelkraut, Dostkraut, and Brennnessel — handmade and aged 6-8 weeks on spruce boards.
• Winter Wenzel Limited-edition hard cheese for autumn/winter; €1 per kg sold donated to charitable causes including school projects in Burkina Faso and PRIMAKLIMA e.V. tree planting.
• Bio Monsieur Jean Bernard French organic soft cheese with character; white mould and red cultures; aged 5 weeks for creamy-spicy taste.
• Bio Schnittkäse Altbierkäse Organic cutting cheese with traditional Düsseldorf Altbier character; handcrafted.
• Bio Speisequark Fresh organic quark in Magerstufe, 20%, and 40% fat levels with creamy texture for versatile culinary use.
• Bio Crème fraîche Fresh and creamy organic crème fraîche for finishing recipes, cooking, and refining dishes; made from Bioland milk.
• Bio Schlagsahne Whipping cream with full-bodied taste; made without stabilizers or additives; natural skimming indicator of Söbbeke quality.
• Bio Schmand Organic sour cream for refining dishes and baking, with fresh taste and creamy consistency.
• Haltbare Bio-Milch laktosefrei Lactose-free UHT organic milk in 1.5% and 3.5% fat varieties; guaranteed GMO-free.
• Bio Pudding Schoko Organic chocolate pudding made from Bioland milk with UTZ-certified cocoa according to traditional Söbbeke recipe.
• Bio Grießpudding Organic semolina pudding in Vanille and Traditionell varieties, made from Bioland milk.
• Bio Rote Grütze Organic red fruit pudding with Sauerkirschen, Rote Johannisbeeren, Himbeeren, and Schwarze Johannisbeeren; pairs with vanilla sauce.

Quantifiable outcome

• €27,000 raised for Yolstaaba primary school, Burkina Faso, through Winter Wenzel campaign (1 Euro per kg sold)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and unclear.

• rock'n'popmuseum GronauminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Söbbeke partnered with the rock'n'popmuseum in Gronau for the 'Bio Rocker' cheese product, created to coincide with the Udo Lindenberg exhibition 'UDO L. WOHNT IM HOTEL!' opening June 2026. The museum is located in Gronau, the hometown of both Udo Lindenberg and Söbbeke. Pro verkauftem Kilo Bio Rocker werden 1€ an die Udo Lindenberg-Stiftung gespendet zur Förderung des Panik-Preises 2026 für junge Musiker:innen, Texter:innen und Bands.
• Udo Lindenberg StiftungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Udo Lindenberg Stiftung receives €1 per kilogram of Bio Rocker cheese sold, directed toward the Panik-Preis 2026 award supporting young musicians, lyricists, and bands. This is a cause-marketing partnership linking product sales to charitable funding.
• zeron GmbH – Agentur für PR & ContentcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partnerzeron GmbH acts as Söbbeke's official PR and content agency, handling press contact, media enquiries, and press release distribution on behalf of the company. Press enquiries are directed to fon +49 211 / 8 89 21 50-64.
• APRED (Association Pour la Reinsertion Sociale des Desherites)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal association in Burkina Faso partnered with Söbbeke's charity initiative. The Winter Wenzel charity campaign donated €27,000 to Yolstaaba primary school in Nagrin, Burkina Faso, funding a solar-powered drinking water well and school building renovation.
• PRIMAKLIMA e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman non-profit environmental association received a five-figure donation from Söbbeke's Winter Wenzel campaign, used to plant 5,800 seedlings in Germany. A previous Winter Wenzel campaign also supported tree-planting via this organisation.
• Groupe SAVENCIA Saveurs & SpécialitésunclearOthersThe data privacy statement notes that Söbbeke may forward job applications within its corporate group, identified as Groupe SAVENCIA Saveurs & Spécialités. This indicates Söbbeke is part of or affiliated with the SAVENCIA group, though the nature of the corporate relationship is not further detailed in the available sources.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Weihenstephan: Historic Bavarian dairy brand producing yogurts, milk, and cultured dairy products with strong German retail presence. Comparable on yogurt, fresh dairy, and cultured products, though broader mainstream distribution.
• Bioland-Molkerei Scheitz: Smaller German organic dairy producing Bioland yogurts, quark, and cheese with regional farmer sourcing in southern Germany. Directly comparable on certification, handcrafted organic positioning, and specialist retail channel focus.
• Hofmeister: German dairy producing yogurts, quark, and dairy desserts with a focus on quality and regional sourcing. Comparable product portfolio (cultured dairy, desserts) and German retail channel presence, with somewhat broader mainstream distribution.
• Andechser Molkerei: German organic dairy specialist producing yogurts, cheeses, and fresh dairy under Naturland certification with a similar Naturkostfachhandel go-to-market approach. Closely comparable in product range (yogurts, fresh dairy), channel mix (organic specialist trade + selected LEH), and premium organic positioning.
• Milchwerke Berchtesgadener Land: Bavarian-based dairy cooperative focused on organic and pasture-based milk from regional Alpine farmers. Highly comparable on organic/Bioland-equivalent sourcing, regional farmer-cooperative model, and presence in German Naturkost and LEH channels with yogurts, milk, and cheese.

Regional players

• Bio-verde / Alnatura (private label): Alnatura operates as both retailer and organic brand owner in Germany, with private-label organic yogurts and dairy. A direct competitor in the German Naturkostfachhandel channel and a potential private-label threat to Söbbeke-branded shelf space.

Broad incumbents

• Müller (Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller): Large German dairy group producing yogurts, desserts, and fresh dairy for mainstream retail. Competes with Söbbeke in yogurt and dessert categories across German LEH, with broader scale and price-pack flexibility.
• Arla Foods (Germany): Major European dairy cooperative with significant German operations and a growing range of organic and pasture-based products (e.g., 'Weidemilch'). Competes with Söbbeke in yogurt and fresh dairy via mainstream LEH and increasingly in organic specialist trade.
• FrieslandCampina (organic line): Large international dairy cooperative with growing organic SKUs in Germany across yogurt, milk, and cheese. A scaled incumbent entering the same organic shelf-space as Söbbeke, competing on listing power and price-pack architecture.
• Danone (Germany): Global yogurt leader with strong German presence in both mainstream and organic yogurt (e.g., Activia, Activia organic). Overlaps with Söbbeke in fruit yogurts, probiotic yogurts, and increasingly in clean-label and organic SKUs in LEH.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Molkerei Söbbeke