Dutch Lady story: the Malaysian milk brand with roots half a world away
- Whether it’s pasteurised whole milk, baby milk formula or yogurt, Dutch Lady is a household name in Malaysia and traces its origins in the country to 1954
- Its parent company is one of the world’s largest dairy co-operatives – owned by 18,621 farmers – ensuring that the chain of command starts in the fields
In almost every Malaysian home there is bound to be a Dutch Lady product in the cupboard or refrigerator. Whether it’s pasteurised whole milk, baby milk formula or yogurt, the brand has become a household name in the country and is known for its initiatives to promote public health.
“We would get a tin of their condensed milk as a treat to have with Milo,” says housewife Lee Sook Ling, 61, from the capital, Kuala Lumpur. “It’s probably why I’m still fond of condensed milk even though they don’t sell it any more.”
Over the years, Lee has bought Dutch Lady UHT milk, for its longer shelf life, and used to pick up packs of Growing Up Milk for her children when they were young.
“Perhaps it is because I grew up with it that I just stick with it,” she says. “But I don’t see myself switching to another brand unless the quality of Dutch Lady products goes down.”
Dutch Lady’s products are as recognisably Malaysian as Proton cars, but they did not always go by that name and its roots are half a world away – in the Netherlands, as its name suggests.
Dutch Lady is one of several brands under the umbrella of Netherlands-based Royal FrieslandCampina. One of the world’s largest dairy co-operatives, the company is wholly owned by 18,261 farmers from the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.