History
Valio was founded in 1905 by 17 co-operative dairies. The original name of the company was Voivienti-osuusliike Valio r.l, or 'Butter Export Cooperative Valio'. The company was originally based in Hanko and the most important market was England.
Valio's activities expanded from butter to other dairy products in 1909. Exports of products such as processed cheese to Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France, Norway, Belgium and the United States began in the 1920s and expanded rapidly during that decade.[5] In 1933, Valio started production of Koskenlaskija Finnish brand of processed cheese in Helsinki.[6] In the United States, Valio sold Pasteurized Process Gruyere Cheese in a wooden box, with graphics on 2 sides.
Virtanen, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1945, was an employee of Valio. The prize was given "for his research and inventions in agricultural and nutrition chemistry, especially for his fodder preservation method". Virtanen's work preserved nutrients in hay, which lead cows to produce more nutritious milk.[7]
Valio began exporting milk powder, cheese and butter to several international markets in the 1950s, including countries such as Algeria and Morocco. Valio’s cheeses gained popularity particularly in Germany and Italy.[5] During the same decade, Valio also entered the United States market by exporting Emmental/Swiss cheese under the name “Cheeses from Finland”. In the late 1970s, the Finlandia brand was developed and introduced to the market in the northeastern United States. In 1992, Valio acquired the Finlandia brand and subsequently expanded its distribution nationwide across the United States.[8]
In 1986, Valio began sharing its dairy production expertise and selling related equipment to agricultural leaders in China. During the 1990s, Valio’s DEMI™ demineralised whey powder was supplied to markets including China, Taiwan and South Korea, where it was used in products such as chocolate and ice cream, as well as globally by infant formula manufacturers. By 2001, Valio had established a dedicated office in Shanghai responsible for the sales of Valio’s ingredients and technologies.[5]
In 2001, Valio launched a lactose-free milk drink which is not sweet like HYLA milk but has the fresh taste of ordinary milk. Valio patented the chromatographic separation method to remove lactose. Valio also markets these products in Sweden, Estonia, and the United States, where the company says ultrafiltration is used.[9]
In Belgium the products were present under the Valio brand until 2013. The name changed to 'Dilea' after Valio sold their Belgian subsidiary in 2012.[10]
Valio sold its ice cream activity to overseas company Nestlé in 2004. Nestlé also received the right to use the Valiojäätelö name for 10 years, ending in 2014.[11] It was soon transferred into the Nestle/R&R Ice Cream joint venture Froneri Finland.[12]
In 2005, Valion Jäätelöbaari (Valio Ice Cream Bar), designed by Paola Suhonen, was opened in Kamppi Center, Helsinki.
In early 2018, Valio launched the Valio Oddlygood® brand and introduced its first oat‑based products. Oddlygood® has since developed into an international brand offering a broad range of plant‑based products, including oat drinks and alternatives to cheese, yogurts and desserts.[13]
In 2022, Valio closed all of its business operations in Russia after EU imposed sanctions against Russia.[14]
In early 2022, Valio acquired the Gold&Green® brand along with its product development activities.[15] Gold&Green focuses on plant‑based foods, offering products made primarily from ingredients such as oats, peas and fava beans.[16]
In 2022, Valio established a joint venture with St1 Oy, Suomen Lantakaasu Ltd. The joint venture was part of the practical implementation of Valio’s climate programme.[17] Suomen Lantakaasu Lts supports a circular economy by producing biogas from manure generated by dairy farms.[1]
In 2024, Valio launched Food 2.0, a project aimed at developing the food system of the future and promoting the competitiveness of Finnish food exports. Valio’s role in the project is to lead cooperation within the partner network as well as various research and development initiatives. Business Finland granted €10 million in funding for the project.[18] By 2026, the Food 2.0 ecosystem has grown to over 200 members.[19]
In 2025, Valio acquired Raisio plc’s plant protein business, including the Härkis® and Beanit® fava bean brands and the related fixed assets. The acquisition included the production equipment of the Kauhava factory manufacturing plant‑based protein products, and 16 employees transferred to Valio as part of the transaction.[20]
