⏱ 3 min read
Updated on 14 November 2026 : the planned end of milk carton filling at Le Mont-sur-Lausanne threatens the fair-trade milk of the cooperative Faireswiss, according to La Liberté. In Valais, producers of milk for Raclette du Valais PDO fear a drop in prices, RTS reports; a cantonal task force is looking for buyers. The company Walker says it is interested in contributing to a local solution, according to ArcInfo.
Background
Founded in 1927, Cremo is Switzerland’s second-largest dairy processor, behind Emmi. The Fribourg group has been loss-making for about ten years, according to Le Temps. In 2025, it reported a loss of 17 million francs, the State of Valais recalls. Management cites decades of under-investment and scattered activities.
The key points
On Thursday 12 November 2026, Cremo presented its “Convergence” strategic plan. By 2030, the group intends to concentrate all its industrial production at its historic site in Villars-sur-Glâne, in the canton of Fribourg. It will refocus on three businesses: butter and dairy fats, milk powders and high-value components, and cheeses, especially those with a protected designation of origin (PDO).
Ultimately, Cremo plans to leave its sites in Düdingen (FR), Sierre and Tourtemagne (VS), Le Mont-sur-Lausanne (VD) and Meyrin (GE). Milk and cream cartons, yoghurts, Lattesso iced coffees and the Le Petit Crémier platform are affected. Depending on the activity, the group will seek partners, sell or end production. No change is planned in 2027, said CEO Xavier Monange.
Valais is directly affected. In Sierre, Cremo processes almost half of all Raclette du Valais PDO cheese. The Department of Economy and Education has appointed a task force to keep ripening in the canton, secure market access for raclette and keep the Tourtemagne cheese dairy running.
Key figures
- 650 : the group’s workforce, according to Frapp
- 390 : jobs Cremo plans to keep, or 60% of the workforce
- 260 : jobs affected by the disposals, according to Frapp; Le Temps cites nearly 300
- 13.5 million kilos : milk collected each year in Sierre, of which 9 million is made into PDO raclette
- CHF 50 million : annual value added of Raclette du Valais PDO for the dairy sector, according to the State of Valais
What it means for businesses
- Valais milk producers : a major outlet for PDO raclette must be replaced by 2030.
- Faireswiss cooperative : its fair-trade milk cartons are produced at the Le Mont-sur-Lausanne site, where this production is due to stop.
- Potential buyers : several plants and the Lattesso brand are for sale or transfer.
- Villars-sur-Glâne site : its modernisation will require several tens of millions of francs; Cremo is seeking financial partners.
Who says what
- Gérald Dayer (Head of the Valais Agriculture Service): all task force partners are optimistic about what comes next
- Walker (company): says it is interested in contributing to a local solution in Valais, according to ArcInfo.
- Xavier Monange (CEO of Cremo): the group now has a clear roadmap.
- Valais State : it regrets the decision and expects Cremo to act responsibly towards its staff.
- Anne Chenevard (President of the Faireswiss cooperative): she fears the end of ten years of work and is waiting before taking decisions.
- Alain Frossard (President of the Vollèges-Sembrancher-Levron dairy cooperative): Cremo is the main buyer; he hopes to keep market shares in large retail.
- Unia (trade union): it asks that no jobs be cut and that staff be involved in the discussions.
What's next
- No change at the sites in 2027 : this period will be used to negotiate with buyers.
- Production concentrated in Villars-sur-Glâne by 2030.
Further reading
Sources
- RTS – Cremo’s departure: the Raclette du Valais sector is worried
- La Liberté – Cremo’s restructuring threatens fair-trade milk cartons
- Le Nouvelliste – Cremo withdraws from Sierre and Turtmann: an optimistic task force and a first interested Valais player
- State of Valais – Cremo announces the end of its activities in Valais, the Department of Economy and Education appoints a task force (official source)
- ArcInfo – Cremo withdraws from Sierre and Turtmann in Valais: an optimistic task force and a first interested party
- Frapp – Cremo refocuses and will part with 40% of its staff
- Le Temps – Fighting for survival, Cremo will concentrate its activities at its Villars-sur-Glâne site
Let’s share Romandy’s news
We build the news together.
An idea, an opinion, a wish, a detail to add? Tell us!
