What Bayernland eG does

Bayernland eG is a cooperatively organized dairy conglomerate (genossenschaftlich organisierter Molkereikonzern) headquartered in Nürnberg, Germany, founded in 1930 and owned by approximately 1,600 member dairy farmers who supply its raw milk. The company operates through three primary cooperatives — Domspitzmilch eG, Käserei Bayreuth eG, and Molkereigenossenschaft Pleystein eG — and processes over 800 million kilograms of GMO-free and organic milk annually into dairy and cheese products. Bayernland describes itself as one of the largest cheese manufacturers and marketers in Germany, with a portfolio spanning mozzarella, fresh cheese (Farmi, Land-Frischkäse, Kerniger Frischkäse), hard cheese (Emmentaler, Gruyère, Grana Padano, Pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano, Rigatello), sliced cheese (Edamer, Gouda, Tilsiter), yogurt, butter and clarified butter (Goldbutter, Domspitzmilch Süßrahmbutter, Butaris Butterschmalz), and Italian and Swiss specialties under the Isola Fresca sub-brand.

Its commercial model is predominantly B2B sales-led wholesale: products are listed at almost all major food retail chains and discounters across Germany, with a dedicated Großverbraucher & Weiterverarbeiter (bulk buyers and further processors) division that provides customized compositions, problem-solving oriented product development, and verifiable quality assurance for industrial customers. Direct-to-consumer sales occur through three company-owned factory outlet stores (Werksverkäufe) in Amberg, Bayreuth, and Regensburg offering monthly promotional cheese packages. Distribution extends internationally via Bayernland Srl, a wholly-owned Italian subsidiary based in Sterzing (Vipiteno), which supports European market coverage and Italian specialty cheese production. Quality infrastructure is anchored by IFS food safety certification, ISO 50001 energy management, DE-ÖKO-006 organic certification, and VLOG non-GMO certification. Leadership comprises Gerhard M. Meier (Hauptgeschäftsführer / CEO), Markus Götz (Vorstand Chairman), and Werner Schwarz (Aufsichtsrat Chairman).

Name

Bayernland eG

Legal name

Bayernland eG

Website

https://bayernland.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Bayernland eG is a cooperatively owned German dairy conglomerate founded in 1930, processing over 800 million kg of milk annually into cheese and dairy products sold through German food retail chains, discounters, B2B processors, factory outlet stores, and an Italian subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Products

NAICS

Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Butter & Cultured Dairy (Yogurt, Sour Cream, Kefir) Wholesale (AFAIAEAB)

Keywords

• Dairy products
• Cheese production
• Cooperative dairy
• Milk processing
• Fresh cheese

Headquarters

HQ city

Nürnberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. B2B Food Retail Sales: Wholesale distribution of dairy and cheese products to food retail chains and discounters throughout Germany.
2. Factory Direct Sales: Direct consumer sales through company-owned factory outlet stores (Werksverkäufe) in Amberg, Bayreuth, and Regensburg.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Bayernland eG processes more than 800 million kg of genetically modified-free and organic milk annually into a broad portfolio of dairy and cheese products, including mozzarella, fresh cheese, hard cheese, sliced cheese, yogurt, butter, and Italian/Swiss cheese specialties. Products are distributed primarily via wholesale to food retail chains and discounters across Germany, with additional direct-to-consumer sales through company-owned factory outlet stores (Werksverkäufe) in Amberg, Bayreuth, and Regensburg, and B2B supply to industrial food processors.

Product overview

Bayernland eG is a cooperative dairy company (Molkereikonzern) founded in 1930, processing over 800 million kg of genetically modified-free milk and organic milk annually through its three primary cooperatives (Domspitzmilch eG, Käserei Bayreuth eG, and Molkereigenossenschaft Pleystein eG). The company operates as a single unified product portfolio focused on dairy and cheese products, organized into main categories: Mozzarella, Fresh Cheese (including Farmi, Land-Frischkäse, and Kerniger Frischkäse), Hard Cheese (Emmentaler, Gruyère, Grana Padano, Pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano, Rigatello), Sliced Cheese (Edamer, Gouda, Tilsiter), Yogurt, Butter & Butterschmalz, and Italian & Swiss Specialties (under the Isola Fresca sub-brand including Mascarpone, Grana Padano, Parmigiano Reggiano, Gorgonzola Dolce, and Biraghi Ricotta). The company also serves the B2B market through its Großverbraucher & Weiterverarbeiter division offering bulk products and customized solutions for large-scale buyers and food processors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Isola Fresca: Brand for Italian cheese specialties including Mascarpone, Grana Padano, Parmigiano Reggiano, Gorgonzola Dolce, and Ricotta. Also functions as an importer of Swiss cheese specialties.
• Domspitzmilch
• Farmi Frischkäse
• Goldbutter
• Biraghi

Products and services

• Bayernland Mozzarella
• Frischkäse Farmi (Farmi Frischkäse) Fresh cheese in double cream stage (Doppelrahmstufe) with a mild sour taste, available in Classic and Herb varieties, for spreading, dipping, cooking, and baking. Sold through food retailers across Germany.
• Bayernland Land-Frischkäse Fresh cheese made from fresh whole milk and cream in double cream stage, with a mildly sour taste. Designed for large kitchens, the processing industry, and cheese service counters.
• Bayernland Kerniger Frischkäse (Cottage Cheese) Low-calorie cottage cheese with high protein and calcium content, fine white granules and a mildly sour taste, positioned for diet and nutrition use.
• Bayernland Hartkäse range (Emmentaler, Gruyère, Grana Padano, Pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano, Rigatello) Hard cheeses with firm texture, high dry matter content, and long aging periods of up to several years, including Emmentaler, Gruyère, Grana Padano, Pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Bayernland's own Rigatello.
• Bayernland Schnittkäse (Edamer, Gouda, Tilsiter and more) Sliced cheese varieties including Edamer, Gouda, Tilsiter and more, positioned for breakfast, snacks, and balanced everyday nutrition.
• Bayernland Joghurt Yogurt produced with original Bulgarian pure cultures, a classic Bayernland product consumed as-is or used as an ingredient in recipes, suitable for breakfast, snacks, and desserts.
• Goldbutter (Süßrahm & mildgesäuert) Butter at 82% fat content in two varieties: Süßrahm (sweet cream) with a mild sweet taste, and mildgesäuert (mildly soured) with a tangy flavor from added starter cultures.
• BUTARIS Butterschmalz (Clarified Butter) Clarified butter (Butterschmalz) marketed as a versatile all-rounder in the kitchen, distributed under the Bayernland butter range in partnership with the Butaris brand.
• Isola Fresca Mascarpone Mild, creamy double cream fresh cheese marketed as an ingredient for Tiramisu and warm dishes and as an alternative to whipped cream; available in 500g cups and 2kg buckets.
• Isola Fresca Grana Padano D.O.P. Origin-protected Italian hard cheese aged at least 9 months with a full aroma, sold as whole pieces (200g, ~1.2kg) or freshly grated in resealable 100g packaging.
• Isola Fresca Parmigiano Reggiano D.O.P. Italian original Parmigiano Reggiano, a fine table cheese made from raw milk and ideal as grated cheese, available as whole loaves (~39kg) and pieces (~1.25kg and 2.5kg), with minimum 32% fat in dry matter.
• Biraghi Ricotta Italian fresh cheese that is light, low in calories, low in fat, and versatile, marketed as a lighter alternative to Mascarpone, with minimum 40% fat in dry matter.
• Isola Fresca Gorgonzola Dolce D.O.P. Milder variant of Gorgonzola with a fine-mild aroma and creaminess, origin-protected, suitable for melting in pasta dishes, sauces, and for gratinating, with minimum 48% fat in dry matter.
• Großverbraucher & Weiterverarbeiter (B2B Bulk Supply) B2B bulk and industrial processing supply for large-scale buyers and food processors, offering flexible logistics, verifiable quality assurance, problem-solving oriented product development, and customized product compositions.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• milch.bayern e.V.minorOthersIndustry association representing Bavarian dairy farmers and dairy companies. Bayernland eG participates in this organization for industry advocacy and networking.
• Bayernland Srl (Sterzing/Vipiteno)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayernland's Italian subsidiary based in Sterzing (Vipiteno), Italy. Operates as part of the Bayernland group for European market coverage and Italian specialty cheese production.
• ButarisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partnership for Butaris ghee/butter fat products, distributed under the Bayernland portfolio. Butaris is marketed as an all-rounder in the kitchen.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bayernland-mozzarella

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Bayernland eG