Valio looks to close dairy plant

Valio is expecting to close its Tampere facility in Finland, with 50 jobs potentially affected.

The Finnish dairy company says it is starting negotiations with staff as it adjusts production capacity to meet the current market situation.

Valio says it has lost a significant amount of sales in Finland. Last year, basic manufacturing was transferred from Tampere to other Valio dairies.

The Tampere facility produces cheese and specialty milks.

Among the reasons the company noted for ceasing production in Tampere are Russia’s continued embargo of European dairy products, global over-production of milk and the absence of EU milk quotas.

Valio said that as Finland is not a closed market, the low price levels are directly reflected in both imports and exports.