FrieslandCampina has entered into an agreement with Dutch dairy firm Royal A-ware for the production and supply of mozzarella cheese.

As part of the agreement, FrieslandCampina will supply milk from its member dairy farmers and will be responsible for the sale of the mozzarella. Royal A-ware will take care of the processing of the milk and the production of the cheese in a new production location in Heerenveen, the Netherlands.

It is expected that cheese created through the deal will be available for customers at the beginning of 2020.

“Mozzarella cheese is an attractive growth segment. This will enable us to further expand our international position in mozzarella cheese,” said Hans Meeuwis, president FrieslandCampina Dairy Essentials.

“We broaden the offer to our customers and it enables us to further expand our product portfolio. Apart from making smart investments in our own production locations, partnerships are an important part of our strategy to create more value. The previously announced partnership with the DMK Group also fits in this strategy.”

The DMK mozzarella deal, which was announced last year, sees FrieslandCampina supply milk and market finished mozzarella products, while DMK Group provides the production facilities to manufacture the cheese. To cater for increased production demand, DMK has expanded its Georgsmarienhütte manufacturing site in Germany.

Earlier this year, Royal A-ware announced a partnership with Ireland’s largest dairy processor, Glanbia, to build a €140 million cheese factory in Ireland. The facility in Belview, County Kilkenny, is scheduled for commissioning in 2022.

Royal A-ware, which is based in Almere, makes a variety of European cheeses including gouda, edam, maasdam and emmental.