The U.S. dairy industry is much more than the milk cartons you see on your supermarket shelves. Behind those familiar products is a broad network of cooperatives, food manufacturers and international dairy groups producing everything from milk and butter to cheese, yogurt, ice cream and specialized dairy ingredients.

For 2026, Dairy Foods’ Dairy Top 100 ranks the largest dairy processors operating in the United States using 2025 dairy sales. The latest list puts Dairy Farmers of America at No. 1 for the fourth consecutive year, but Lactalis USA has moved into third place following its acquisition of General Mills’ U.S. yogurt business.

Here’s a closer look at the top 10 dairy companies in the USA, according to the 2026 Dairy Foods ranking.

1. Dairy Farmers of America

Company Detail	Information
Company Name	Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA)
Founded	1998
Headquarters	1405 N. 98th St., Kansas City, Kansas 66111, USA
Business	Farmer-owned dairy cooperative, milk marketing, dairy processing and dairy ingredients
Main Products/Services	Fluid milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, dairy ingredients, beverages and other dairy products
Main Focus	Connecting family dairy farms to consumers and customers through marketing, dairy manufacturing, innovation and farmer services
Key Figure	Dennis Rodenbaugh – President and Chief Executive Officer
Ownership	Farmer-owned cooperative; about 9,000 farmer-owners and family dairy farms
Public Listing	Privately held cooperative; not publicly traded
Annual Sales	About $23.1 billion, according to Dairy Foods’ 2026 Dairy Top 100
Global Presence	Dairy products and ingredients supplied across the United States and to customers around the world
Employees	Thousands of employees across manufacturing plants, facilities, laboratories, transportation and other operations

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) continues to occupy the top position in the U.S. dairy-processing industry. This farmer-owned cooperative is based in Kansas City, Kansas, and works with dairy farmers across the country.

DFA reported approximately $23.1 billion in 2025 revenue, according to Dairy Foods. The organization has maintained the No. 1 position on the publication’s list for four consecutive years.

It’s portfolio covers a remarkably vast range of dairy products, including milk, cream, butter, cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, ice cream, condensed milk and dairy ingredients.

One reason DFA is such a significant name in American dairy is its cooperative structure. As a farmer-owned cooperative, and not a conventional food company, it represents thousands of dairy farmers while also processing and marketing dairy products.

2. Saputo Inc.

Company Information	Details
Company	Saputo Inc.
Established	1954 by the Saputo family in Montreal, Canada
Corporate Headquarters	Suite 900, 1000 De La Gauchetière Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3B 4W5, Canada
Industry	Dairy processing, marketing and distribution
Products	Cheese, fluid milk, extended shelf-life milk and cream products, cultured products, and dairy ingredients
Business Focus	Producing and marketing a wide range of dairy products and ingredients across Canada, the United States, Australia and Europe
Key Executive	Carl Colizza – President and Chief Executive Officer
Ownership	Publicly traded company
Stock Listing	Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX); ticker: SAP
Fiscal Sales	FY2026 financial results reported by Saputo
Global Operations	Products sold in more than 60 countries, with approximately 54 manufacturing facilities and 18,100 employees across five divisions
Employees	Approximately 18,100 worldwide

Saputo Inc. holds the second position on the 2026 list. While the company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, it has a substantial dairy-processing presence in the United States.

Dairy Foods reports $13.975 billion in 2025 sales for Saputo using the company’s fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, and converting the figure from Canadian dollars.

Cheese is one of Saputo’s key business areas. Its products include mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, Romano, ricotta, feta, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Muenster and several specialty cheeses.

The company also produces cream, butter, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, milk products and dairy ingredients.

Its broad product range enables Saputo to serve both consumers and food-service and industrial customers.

3. Lactalis USA

Key Area	Company Details
Company Name	Lactalis USA
Founded	1933 (Lactalis Group founded in Laval, France, by André Besnier)
U.S. Headquarters	U.S. operations with major corporate offices including Chicago, Illinois, and additional offices across the United States
Business	Dairy product manufacturing, processing, marketing and distribution
Main Products	Cheese, yogurt, butter, milk, dairy ingredients, whey powder and whipped cream
Business Focus	Producing and marketing dairy foods and ingredients across cheese, yogurt, butter and milk categories
Key Figure	Everett Turner – CEO of Lactalis USA
Ownership	Part of the family-owned Lactalis Group, headquartered in Laval, France
Public Listing	Privately held company
2025 Sales	Approximately $11.387 billion, according to Dairy Foods’ 2026 Dairy Top 100; converted from euros at the current exchange rate
Global Presence	Lactalis products are sold in more than 50 countries across multiple dairy categories
U.S. Employees	Approximately 5,000 employees across 13 manufacturing sites and seven corporate offices

Lactalis USA has made one of the biggest jumps in this year’s ranking, moving from seventh place in the previous list to third.

The U.S. operation is part of Lactalis Group, a France-based dairy company. Dairy Foods reports $11.387 billion in 2025 sales for Lactalis USA.

The company’s American portfolio includes well-known dairy brands and products such as Galbani, Président, Breakstone’s, Parmalat, siggi’s and Stonyfield Organic.

A major reason for its jump was Lactalis’ acquisition of General Mills’ U.S. yogurt business, which Dairy Foods reports represented approximately $1.2 billion in revenue, nearly 1,000 employees and two production sites, bringing brands including Yoplait, Go-Gurt and Oui into Lactalis’ U.S. operations. That expansion significantly increased Lactalis USA’s presence in the fresh dairy market.

4. Nestlé North America

Category	Details
Company Name	Nestlé North America
Parent Company	Nestlé S.A., headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland
U.S. Headquarters	1812 North Moore Street, Arlington, Virginia 22209, USA
Business	Food and beverage manufacturing and marketing, including dairy-related products
Main Products	Ice cream, frozen desserts, ice cream bars, frozen dairy desserts, yogurt, frozen yogurt, milk-based beverages, coffee creamers and other food and beverage products
Main Focus	Good food, good life – providing high-quality, nutritious and enjoyable food and beverage products
Key Executive	Steve Presley – Chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA
Ownership	Wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A.
Public Listing	Nestlé S.A. is publicly traded; Nestlé North America is a subsidiary
2025 Dairy Sales	Approximately $11.2 billion, according to Dairy Foods’ 2026 Dairy Top 100
Global Presence	Nestlé operates in more than 180 countries worldwide
U.S. Employees	Approximately 36,000 employees across 112 offices and facilities across 28 states

Nestlé North America ranks fourth among the dairy processors on the 2026 list.

Dairy Foods reports an estimated $11.2 billion in 2025 sales. Importantly, the publication notes that this figure reflects global milk and ice-cream product sales rather than being a pure U.S.-only dairy figure.

Nestlé’s dairy-related business includes packaged ice cream, frozen dairy desserts, ice cream bars, frozen snacks, milk-based beverages and coffee creamers.

The company is particularly recognizable in the frozen-dessert category, where its products have a significant presence in American retail stores.

Because Nestlé operates across several food and beverage categories, its overall business is considerably broader than dairy alone.

5. The Magnum Ice Cream Company

Company Detail	Information
Company Name	The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V.
Formation	2025 through the demerger of Unilever’s ice cream business
Global Headquarters	Reguliersdwarsstraat 63, 1017 BK, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Business	Pure-play global ice cream company
Main Brands	Magnum, Ben & Jerry’s, Cornetto, Wall’s, Talenti, Popsicle, Yasso, Breyers, Klondike and other ice cream brands
Main Focus	Ice cream innovation, quality and global consumer experiences
Key Executive	Peter ter Kulve – Chief Executive Officer
Ownership	Independently listed food company following the demerger from Unilever
Public Listing	Shares trade on Euronext Amsterdam, London Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange
2025 Revenue	€7.9 billion
Global Presence	Products sold in 80 countries, with more than 100 brands
Employees	Approximately 19,000 employees worldwide

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is the latest company to appear among the top five in the 2026 Dairy Foods ranking. The company was spun off from Unilever and owns brands including Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Talenti, Klondike and Magnum. It reported $9.1 billion in 2025 revenue, although Dairy Foods notes that this is worldwide revenue rather than U.S.-only revenue.

Ice cream and frozen desserts are the core of its business.

The company has been building a dedicated U.S. sales organization and has focused on expanding its presence across retail channels, including supermarkets and other major stores.

Its appearance at No. 5 also demonstrates how important frozen dairy products are within the broader U.S. dairy-processing industry.

6. Savencia Fromage & Dairy

Business Area	Company Information
Company Name	SAVENCIA Fromage & Dairy
Founded	1956, originally founded as Bongrain
Headquarters	42 rue Rieussec, 78223 Viroflay Cedex, France
Business	International food group specializing in cheese and dairy specialties, with retail, food service and ingredients activities
Main Products	Cheese, cream cheese, butter, cream, dairy ingredients, spreads, dips, sauces and other dairy specialties
Main Focus	Differentiation and innovation across Retail, Food Service and Ingredients & Nutritional Solutions
Key Figure	Olivier Delame – Chief Executive Officer since September 2022
Ownership	Independent family-owned group
Public Listing	Euronext Paris; ticker SAV
2025 Revenue	€6.9566 billion consolidated net sales
Global Presence	Products and solutions marketed in 120 countries
Employees	About 27,000 worldwide

Savencia Fromage & Dairy ranks sixth, with its U.S. operations included in the Dairy Foods ranking.

 The company is particularly associated with cheese and specialty dairy products. Its portfolio covers areas such as specialty cheeses, dairy ingredients and food-service products.

Savencia’s international footprint is another example of how the American dairy market includes both domestic cooperatives and large global dairy businesses. In the United States, the company serves retail, food-service and industrial customers, giving it a presence beyond the typical supermarket dairy aisle.

7. Danone North America

Company Detail	Information
Company	Danone North America
Background	Danone’s history dates back more than 100 years; its U.S. business grew from Danone and WhiteWave operations
Headquarters	White Plains, New York, with another major location in Louisville, Colorado
Business	Food and beverage company focused on yogurt, plant-based foods and beverages, water, ready-to-drink coffee and other consumer products
Main Products	Yogurt, Greek yogurt, drinkable yogurt, protein shakes, smoothies, frozen yogurt, coffee creamers, plant-based foods and beverages, water, specialized nutrition and kids’ nutrition
Main Focus	Making health and nutrition accessible, with emphasis on health, innovation and sustainability
Key Figure	Lucien J. – President, Danone USA
Ownership	Subsidiary of Danone S.A.
Public Listing	Parent company Danone S.A. is publicly listed on Euronext Paris
2025 Dairy Sales	Approximately $7.17 billion, according to Dairy Foods’ 2026 Dairy Top 100; converted from euros
Global Presence	Danone products available in more than 120 countries; Danone operates in more than 55 countries
U.S. Employees	About 5,000 Danoners

Danone North America ranks seventh on the 2026 list, with Dairy Foods reporting $7.217 billion in 2025 sales.

The company is especially well known for yogurt and other refrigerated dairy products.

Its portfolio includes brands such as Activia, Oikos, Two Good and Silk, although Silk is primarily a plant-based brand rather than a traditional dairy product.

Danone has a strong presence in the health and nutrition-focused side of the refrigerated food market. Yogurt, probiotic products and high-protein offerings have helped make the category an important part of its business.

The company also produces dairy products for different consumer preferences, including Greek yogurt and other specialized yogurt varieties.

8. Schreiber Foods

Company Information	Details
Company Name	Schreiber Foods Inc.
Established	1945, originally L.D. Schreiber Cheese Company
Headquarters	400 N. Washington St., Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301, USA
Business	Global consumer-brand food group specializing in dairy foods, beverages and yogurt
Main Products	Cream cheese, natural cheese, process cheese, beverages and yogurt
Main Focus	Customer-brand food solutions for retailers, restaurants, distributors and food manufacturers, with a focus on quality, service and innovation
Key Figure	Ron Dunford – Chief Executive Officer
Ownership	Employee-owned company with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Public Listing	Privately held; not publicly traded
2025 Dairy Sales	Approximately $5.7 billion, according to Dairy Foods’ 2026 Dairy Top 100
Global Presence	More than 40 locations across five continents
Employees	More than 10,000 worldwide

Schreiber Foods holds the eighth position.

Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Schreiber is particularly recognized for its large-scale cheese and dairy-ingredient operations.

Dairy Foods reports approximately $7.1 billion in 2025 sales for the company.

Unlike companies whose brands are primarily visible to consumers, Schreiber has a significant business-to-business presence. Its products are used by food manufacturers, restaurants and other commercial customers.

Its portfolio includes cheese, cream cheese, natural cheese and dairy ingredients.

This makes Schreiber an important example of the less visible side of the dairy industry: companies whose products may end up as ingredients in foods sold under other brands.

9. Agropur

Key Information	Details
Company Name	Agropur
Founded	1938, originally formed by 87 local farmers in Granby, Quebec
Headquarters	Longueuil, Quebec, Canada
Business	Dairy cooperative and dairy processor serving retail, food service and industrial customers
Main Products	Cheese, fluid milk, cream, butter, yogurt, ice cream, dairy ingredients and related dairy products
Main Focus	Processing milk into high-quality dairy products and supplying retail, food service and industrial customers
Key Executive	Émile Cordeau – Chief Executive Officer
Ownership	Cooperative owned by dairy farmer members
Public Listing	Not publicly traded
2025 Revenue	C$9 billion company-wide, while Dairy Foods’ 2026 Dairy Top 100 reports U.S. sales ranking information
Global Presence	Operations in Canada and the United States, with products exported to more than 60 countries
Employees	Approximately 7,000 employees

Agropur ranks ninth among the largest dairy processors on the 2026 list.

The Canadian dairy cooperative reported approximately $6.295 billion in 2025 sales, according to Dairy Foods.

Agropur produces a wide range of dairy products and ingredients, including cheese, milk products, whey and other dairy-based ingredients.

Its cooperative structure connects the business to dairy farmers, while its processing operations serve retail, food-service and industrial markets.

The company has developed a substantial presence in the United States, making it one of the major international dairy processors operating in the country

10. Grupo LALA

Company Detail	Company Information
Company Name	Grupo LALA, S.A.B. de C.V.
Founded	1949, beginning in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico
Headquarters	Mexico City, Mexico
Business	Mexican food company focused mainly on milk, dairy products, beverages and related food products
Main Products	Milk, functional dairy products, yogurt, drinkable yogurt, cream, cottage cheese, Mexican cheeses, processed and fine cheeses, plant-based beverages and juices
Main Focus	Dairy nutrition, product innovation, manufacturing and distribution
Key Figure	Francisco Camacho – CEO
Ownership	Publicly traded Mexican company
Stock Listing	Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV); ticker LALA
2025 Dairy Sales	Approximately US$6.06 billion, according to Dairy Foods’ 2026 Dairy Top 100, converted from Mexican pesos
Global Presence	Operations in Mexico, Brazil and the United States, with products and operations reaching additional markets
Employees	More than 38,000 employees

Rounding out the top 10 is Grupo LALA, a Mexican dairy company with a substantial presence in the American market.

Dairy Foods reports $6.106 billion in 2025 sales for Grupo LALA.

The company’s products include milk, yogurt, drinkable yogurt, cream, cottage cheese and several varieties of cheese. It also has businesses involving beverages and plant-based products.

Grupo LALA’s inclusion in the top 10 highlights the international nature of the U.S. dairy market. While the United States has major domestic dairy cooperatives, international companies also play an important role in processing and distributing dairy products.

What Makes the U.S. Dairy Industry So Large?

The dairy industry isn’t limited to traditional milk production anymore. Today’s major dairy companies operate across several categories, including:

• Fluid milk
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Butter
• Ice cream
• Cream and sour cream
• Cottage cheese
• Dairy powders
• Whey and protein ingredients
• Frozen desserts
• Specialty dairy products

The 2026 Dairy Foods list also demonstrates the importance of cooperatives in the industry. DFA, for example, is farmer-owned, while several other major companies are privately held or publicly traded.

Another noticeable trend is the growing role of international companies. Saputo, Lactalis, Savencia, Agropur and Grupo LALA are headquartered outside the United States but have substantial U.S. operations.

How Dairy Foods Compiled the Ranking

The ranking is not simply a list based on corporate market capitalization.

Dairy Foods says it contacted companies to request their 2025 or most recent revenue information. For public companies that did not respond, it used publicly available financial information. For private companies and cooperatives that did not provide figures, Dairy Foods estimated revenue using sources including company announcements, Forbes, Circana and annual reports.

The publication also notes that an asterisk next to a sales figure indicates an estimate.

This is important when comparing the companies because not every figure represents exactly the same type of financial reporting.

The Changing Dairy Market

The U.S. dairy industry continues to change as consumer preferences evolve. While traditional products such as milk, cheese and butter remain important, companies are also investing in yogurt, high-protein products, frozen desserts and specialized dairy ingredients.

The 2026 ranking also demonstrates how quickly corporate changes can affect the industry. Lactalis USA’s move into third place following its General Mills yogurt acquisition is a clear example. Meanwhile, the debut of The Magnum Ice Cream Company reflects the impact of corporate restructuring on the dairy-processing landscape.

At the same time, companies such as Chobani are continuing to grow. Dairy Foods reports that Chobani moved three places higher in the latest ranking and reached No. 19, with reported 2025 revenue of $3.8 billion.

Conclusion

The top 10 dairy companies in the USA represent a combination of farmer-owned cooperatives, major American businesses and international dairy groups.

Dairy Farmers of America remains the largest processor on the latest Dairy Foods list, followed by Saputo and Lactalis USA. Nestlé North America and The Magnum Ice Cream Company also occupy significant positions, while Savencia, Danone, Schreiber Foods, Agropur and Grupo LALA complete the top 10.

What makes the industry particularly interesting is its variety. Some companies focus heavily on milk, while others specialize in cheese, yogurt, ice cream or ingredients used by other food manufacturers.

As consumer tastes and the food industry continue to evolve, these companies will remain important parts of the American dairy supply chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the largest dairy company in the USA?

Dairy Farmers of America is the largest dairy company in the USA on the 2026 Dairy Foods Dairy Top 100 ranking, with reported 2025 revenue of $23.1 billion.

2. Which are the top 10 dairy companies in the USA?

The top 10 are Dairy Farmers of America, Saputo, Lactalis USA, Nestlé North America, The Magnum Ice Cream Company, Savencia Fromage & Dairy, Danone North America, Schreiber Foods, Agropur, and Grupo LALA.

3. Is Dairy Farmers of America a private company?

Dairy Farmers of America is a farmer-owned cooperative, rather than a conventional publicly traded company.

4. Is Saputo a U.S. company?

No. Saputo is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, but it has major dairy-processing operations in the United States.

5. What brands does Lactalis USA own?

Lactalis USA’s portfolio includes Galbani, Président, Breakstone’s, Parmalat, siggi’s, and Stonyfield Organic, among other dairy brands.

6. What happened to General Mills’ yogurt business?

Lactalis acquired General Mills’ U.S. yogurt activities, including brands such as Yoplait, Go-Gurt, and Oui. Dairy Foods reported that the transaction represented approximately $1.2 billion in revenue.

7. Is Danone a dairy company?

Danone is a broader food and nutrition company, but its North American business has a major presence in dairy products, particularly yogurt. Dairy Foods ranks Danone North America seventh in its 2026 Top 100 dairy processor ranking.

8. What products do dairy companies make?

Major dairy processors produce milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, cream, cottage cheese, ice cream, frozen desserts, and dairy ingredients such as whey and milk powders.

9. Are all of the top 10 dairy companies American-owned?

No. The list includes U.S. companies and cooperatives as well as international businesses operating in the United States. Saputo, Lactalis, Savencia, Agropur, and Grupo LALA, for example, are headquartered outside the U.S.

10. Which ranking was used for this list?

This article uses the 2026 Dairy Top 100 published by Dairy Foods, which ranks dairy processors primarily based on 2025 dairy sales.