The EU’s dairy sector is experiencing transitional pressures following the sector’s shift in approach to milk quota support. Dairy businesses can assist this transition by using RDP support available for improving the cost effectiveness of their production systems. Members of a milk cooperative (called Dzūkijos pienas) in southern Lithuania were aware that their operations could become more competitive by modernising their facilities.

The project aimed to modernise the cooperative’s milk sales and transportation services by purchasing new vehicles equipped with high tech milk suction equipment and integrated accounting systems.

The project provided co-finance to help the cooperative invest its own funds in purchasing new and modern milk transportation vehicles.

By modernising its transportation and milk accounting systems the cooperative is able to operate more cost-effectively and so is better able to compete. This improved business capacity helps to safeguard employment and provides a good foundation for future growth of the cooperative and local dairy sector.