EUROPE – Vilvi Group, a leading dairy enterprise in the Baltic States, has officially started the construction of a new state-of-the-art cheese production facility in Bauska, Latvia.
The project, valued at over US$55.6 million, marks the largest investment in the Group’s history. A symbolic capsule-laying ceremony took place to commemorate the beginning of this significant venture.
The new facility, which will cover more than 8,000 square meters, will be located within the premises of Baltic Dairy Board SIA, a dairy processing plant owned by Vilvi Group.
The construction is financed through a combination of the Group’s own funds, loans from Citadele Bank, and a contribution of over US$9.4 million from the Latvian State Development Finance Institution ALTUM.
Scheduled for completion in 2026, the cheese factory will feature cutting-edge automated and robotic technologies, reflecting Vilvi Group’s commitment to innovation and quality.
The facility is expected to process over 500 tons of milk daily, producing approximately 50 tons of cheese per day, or 18,000 tons annually. Most of this production will be exported to over 40 countries, contributing significantly to the region’s economy.
Gintaras Bertašius, CEO of Vilvi Group, expressed confidence in the project’s potential to benefit Baltic farmers and consumers worldwide by providing high-quality dairy products. The facility is also set to create over 100 new jobs, further boosting the local economy.
The Mayor of Bauska, Aivars Okmanis, attended the ground-breaking ceremony and lauded the investment, highlighting its positive impact on the economic growth of Bauska, Latvia, and the broader Baltic region.
He noted that the establishment of new jobs by Vilvi Group underscores the favorable business environment and quality of life in the municipality.
Vilvi Group, which includes several subsidiaries such as Vilkyškių pieninė, Modest, Kelmės pieninė, Kelmės pienas, Pieno logistika (Lithuania), and Baltic Dairy Board (Latvia), is one of the largest dairy processing companies in the Baltic States.
The Group exports approximately 90% of its products, with key markets in the European Union, Asia, and other continents.
In 2023, Vilvi Group reported a net profit of €14.6 million, a 15% increase compared to 2022, with an EBITDA of €21 million, reflecting a 9.1% growth from the previous year.
The new cheese production facility is expected to further enhance the Group’s financial performance and global market presence.
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