Business · Companies · 1 day ago
Cremo’s financial crisis puts pressure on Switzerland’s dairy industry
Cremo, Switzerland’s second-largest milk processor, is deep in financial trouble.
The company has lost more than 75 million francs over the past four years, including about 17 million in 2025.
Oversupply, tough competition and low profit margins have weighed on its business, alongside production problems and a major fire at a cheese factory.
Cremo processes about one million litres of milk each day and buys milk from around 1,100 producers.
Its large plants help turn surplus milk into butter and milk powder, helping keep the Swiss milk market in balance.
The company has already closed unprofitable sites and made other changes, but these steps have not yet reversed its losses.
Cremo is developing a new strategy to return to profit, but it is not yet clear whether it will succeed.
Cremo, Switzerland’s second-largest milk processor, has lost more than 75 million Swiss francs over the past four years.
The company’s financial problems put pressure on the wider dairy industry because it processes about one million litres of milk a day.
Around 1,100 milk producers supply Cremo, which is an important buyer and helps process surplus milk into butter and milk powder.
Overproduction, tough competition, low product margins and operational problems have weighed on the business.
Cremo is working on a new strategy, but it is not yet clear whether it will return the company to profitability.
- Who
- Cremo, Switzerland’s second-largest milk processor, and the dairy producers who supply it.
- What
- Cremo’s financial crisis is raising concerns for Switzerland’s dairy industry.
- When
- The article was published on 7 November 2026. Cremo recorded a loss of about 17 million Swiss francs in 2025.
- Where
- Switzerland, including Cremo’s operations in the canton of Fribourg.
- Why
- Overproduction, tough competition, low margins and operational problems have hurt Cremo’s business.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cremo recorded total losses of more than 75 million Swiss francs.
Cremo’s deficit was about 17 million Swiss francs.
SRF’s Regional Journal Bern Freiburg Wallis report on Cremo’s crisis aired.
SRF published its article on the crisis and its implications for the dairy industry.
- Rank
- Cremo is Switzerland’s second-largest milk processor, after Emmi.
- Losses
- More than 75 million Swiss francs over four years.
- 2025 deficit
- About 17 million Swiss francs.
- Daily processing
- About one million litres of milk.
- Suppliers
- Around 1,100 milk producers deliver milk to Cremo.
What people are saying
Cremo contributes significantly to keeping the Swiss milk market in balance.
I am confident that Cremo will succeed with its new strategy in getting back on a commercially successful course.