Lexi Webster
Norco is a 100% Australian-owned dairy co-operative with over 200 dairy farm members. It was established in 1895 in Byron Bay, Australia, and is now one of the country's last 100% Aussie farmer-owned dairy cooperatives. Norco's milk brands include Norco, FM, Mighty Cool, Real Iced Coffee, and Tornado Shake. The company has a strong focus on supporting its farmers and local communities, with profits going back to its members.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of establishment | 1895 |
| Location | Northern Rivers New South Wales, Australia |
| Type of company | 100% Australian-owned dairy co-operative |
| Number of active members | 326 |
| Number of dairy farms | 190 |
| Number of milk bottling factories | 2 |
| Number of ice cream factories | 1 |
| Milk brands | Norco, FM, Mighty Cool, Real Iced Coffee, Tornado Shake |
| Home brand milk production for | Coles, Aldi |
| Export market | China |
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What You'll Learn
- Norco is a 100% Australian-owned dairy co-operative
- Norco supports local farmers and their families
- Norco is facing challenges due to the rising popularity of plant-based milk
- Woolworths' decision to stop selling Norco milk in Sydney stores sparked anger among farmers
- Norco's history and establishment in 1895
Norco is a 100% Australian-owned dairy co-operative
Norco is a 100% Australian-owned dairy cooperative with a rich history that dates back to 1895. It was established when a group of passionate dairy farmers came together to form the North Coast Cooperative in the lush green pastures and rolling hills of Northern New South Wales, Australia. The name was later shortened to Norco, reflecting the beauty of its surroundings.
Norco is committed to supporting local farmers and their families, with many of its farmers being second and third-generation dairy farmers themselves. The cooperative has a strong presence in northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland, with 326 active members across 190 dairy farms. Its farmer-owners supply over 200 million litres of milk to its bottling factories in Raleigh and Labrador and its ice cream factory in Lismore.
Norco's products include milk brands such as "Norco", "FM", "Mighty Cool", "Real Iced Coffee", and "Tornado Shake". They also produce "home brand" milk and ice cream for major supermarkets like Coles and Aldi. Norco has a strong connection to the local community and is dedicated to keeping the legacy of its farmer-owners alive.
In recent years, Norco has expanded its product range to include plant-based beverages, such as pea and oat "mylk", to cater to the growing market for plant-based alternatives. Despite this expansion, Norco remains committed to supporting its dairy farmers and reshaping the company's culture and approach to innovation. Norco CEO Michael Hampson has been a strong advocate for fair pricing for dairy milk and has worked to address the mental health and wellbeing issues faced by farmers.
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Norco supports local farmers and their families
Norco is a 100% Australian-owned dairy co-operative with over 200 dairy farm members, most of whom are second and third-generation dairy farmers. It was established in 1895 in Byron Bay, New South Wales, and is named after the breathtaking surrounds of the North Coast Co-operative.
Norco's legacy is deeply rooted in supporting local farmers and their families. In the words of Jim's wife, Debbie, "When people make the decision to buy Norco milk, they're supporting the local farmers, they're supporting our families — it keeps us going." This support has been further strengthened by Norco's recent decisions to pay its farmers over $30 million more for their milk and expand its range of products in Queensland and New South Wales stores north of Sydney.
Norco has also demonstrated its commitment to farmers by commissioning the National Farmers' Federation to survey farmers' well-being. This survey brought to light the mental health struggles faced by many farmers, with nearly half of the respondents having contemplated suicide or self-harm. Norco CEO Michael Hampson has been vocal about the need to value farmers' produce and ensure fair pricing for dairy milk, addressing the challenges posed by cheap food and the rise of plant-based milk alternatives.
Despite facing criticism for removing Norco milk from its Sydney stores, Woolworths has defended its decision as based on customer demand and has reaffirmed its partnership with Norco. Norco continues to supply its milk brands, including "Norco", "FM", "Mighty Cool", "Real Iced Coffee", and "Tornado Shake", to various supermarkets and exports fresh milk to China.
Through its actions and initiatives, Norco has demonstrated its unwavering support for local farmers and their families, contributing to the livelihood and well-being of the Australian dairy farming community.
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Norco is facing challenges due to the rising popularity of plant-based milk
Norco is an Australian dairy co-operative owned by its farmers. It was founded in 1895 by a group of dairy farmers from New South Wales, Australia, and has since become one of the country's last 100% Aussie farmer-owned dairy cooperatives.
However, Norco is facing challenges due to the rising popularity of plant-based milk alternatives. While milk production is up, dairy milk consumption has decreased by 4%, while the consumption of non-dairy milk has increased by 5%. This shift in consumer preferences is driven by the growing popularity of vegan and flexitarian diets, as well as the fact that an estimated 68% of the world population is lactose intolerant.
The competition between dairy and plant-based milk is intensifying, with the oat milk market valued at $3.7 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $9.8 billion by 2032. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for lactose-free products and more diverse flavor options beyond traditional chocolate and strawberry.
To counter these challenges, dairy companies may need to shift their focus to high-value products such as specialty proteins, branded consumer goods, and cheese. Norco has already introduced lactose-free milk options to cater to lactose-intolerant consumers, but they may need to consider further innovations and adaptations to maintain their market competitiveness in the face of the rising popularity of plant-based milk alternatives.
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Woolworths' decision to stop selling Norco milk in Sydney stores sparked anger among farmers
Woolworths, one of Australia's leading supermarket chains, has faced severe backlash from farmers and advocacy groups after deciding to stop selling Norco milk in all 150 of its Sydney metropolitan stores. Norco, a 100% Australian farmer-owned dairy cooperative, has been a staple for many Australians since 1895, offering dairy products including milk, flavoured milk, cheese, and butter. The decision has sparked anger among farmers, with Nationals MP Kevin Hogan urging a boycott of Woolworths and expressing concern over the impact on Norco's market share in Sydney.
A Woolworths spokesperson stated that the decision was based on lower customer demand for Norco products in Sydney stores. They assured that the removal would not affect any stores stocking Norco milk north of Sydney, where the brand has a loyal following. The spokesperson also mentioned that the vacant shelf space in Sydney stores would now be occupied by other Australian-owned milk brands, such as Riverina and Dairy Farmers. However, critics argue that Woolworths' decision demonstrates a lack of support for local farmers and the Australian dairy industry.
Joe Bradley, the president of the EastAUSmilk dairy advocacy group, strongly criticized Woolworths, stating that the move shows that "big supermarkets don't give a stuff about the consumer or the farmer." Mr Bradley emphasized the crucial role of Norco in the dairy industry in New South Wales and Queensland, describing it as the "lifeblood" for many farmers. He also accused Woolworths of attempting to control the processing aspect of the industry and exerting too much influence over product sales through shelf placement and stocking strategies.
The controversy has ignited broader debates about the ethical implications of supermarket decisions on local producers and the Australian dairy industry. It has also led to discussions about the profitability of the industry, with record-high prices paid to dairy farmers but also record input costs. The impact on Norco's market share in Sydney and Woolworths' sourcing of ice cream products from international sources have further fueled discontent among critics, including Mr Hogan, who extended his boycott to Coles due to similar concerns.
Norco holds a significant place in the history of Australian dairy, with its name derived from the breathtaking landscapes of Northern New South Wales, where it was established in 1895. The company's legacy is deeply intertwined with the stories of its farmers, many of whom are second and third-generation dairy farmers dedicated to supporting their families and communities. The decision by Woolworths to remove Norco milk from its Sydney stores threatens this legacy and has sparked a broader conversation about the support needed for Australian-owned dairy cooperatives.
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Norco's history and establishment in 1895
Norco, the North Coast Co-operative Limited, is an agricultural supply and marketing co-operative based in Northern Rivers New South Wales, Australia. It was established in 1895 by a group of enterprising dairy farmers who started the North Coast Co-operative, named after the breathtaking surrounds of Northern New South Wales, Australia. The original company was voluntarily liquidated and sold to a new company called the North Coast Co-operative Limited. On 15 December 1925, the company officially changed its name to Norco Co-operative Limited.
Norco opened its first depot in Murwillumbah, processing cream into butter, and another depot in Casino, beside the Richmond River, allowing easier navigation for sea-going ships to navigate inland. Today, Norco has over 200 dairy farm members supplying over 200 million litres of milk to its two milk bottling factories in Raleigh and Labrador and an ice cream factory in Lismore. Its milk brands include "Norco", "FM", "Mighty Cool", "Real Iced Coffee", and "Tornado Shake". It also produces "home brand" milk and ice cream for Coles and Aldi and has a fledgling fresh milk export business in China.
Norco is one of Australia's last and only 100% Aussie farmer-owned dairy cooperatives, with a network of over 300 members, many of whom are second and third-generation dairy farmers. The lush green pastures and rolling hills of Northern New South Wales have been the home of Norco since its establishment in 1895. The region is known for its agricultural diversity and richness, and Norco's primary activities extend along the northern New South Wales and southern Queensland coastal strip.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Norco is a 100% Australian-owned dairy cooperative.
Norco was established in 1895 in Byron Bay, Australia, by a group of dairy farmers who started the North Coast Cooperative, named after the region. The company has been operating for over a century and is one of Australia's last 100% Aussie farmer-owned dairy cooperatives.
Norco milk is sold in supermarkets north of Sydney and has a strong presence in Queensland and New South Wales. However, in 2024, Woolworths removed Norco milk from its 150 stores in metropolitan Sydney, causing outrage among farmers and politicians.
Norco has diversified its product range and sells various milk brands, including "FM", "Mighty Cool", "Real Iced Coffee", and "Tornado Shake". They also produce home-brand milk and ice cream for major supermarkets like Coles and Aldi and have expanded into plant-based milk alternatives, including pea and oat "mylk".
Norco has a strong commitment to supporting Australian farmers and their families. In recent years, they have paid their farmers over $30 million more for their milk. Norco also commissioned a survey to assess farmers' wellbeing and has worked to address the challenges faced by the declining pool of Australian milk and the rise of plant-based alternatives.
