From Regional Dairy Leader to Global Ingredient Player
Polmlek’s experience demonstrates how combining traditional trading expertise with a global digital platform can unlock new demand, improve liquidity, and rebuild trust in international markets.
Founded in 1994, Polmlek Group has grown into one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading privately owned dairy companies. With 15 production facilities, including 14 in Poland and one in Morocco, the group has built a diversified portfolio spanning dairy, beverages, fruits, and vegetables.
Over the past decade, Polmlek has made a strategic shift toward higher-value dairy ingredients. A key milestone in this transformation was a significant investment in whey processing capabilities, resulting in the largest whey protein concentrate (WPC) facility in Central Eastern Europe. Today, the company produces approximately 50% of Poland’s WPC and is the country’s only lactose producer, with an annual capacity of around 30,000 tonnes.
Before joining Global Dairy Trade, Polmlek relied primarily on traditional sales methods.
“I’m a very traditional trader,” explains Szymon Borucki International Key Account Manager at Polmlek. “Most of our volume was sold through direct relationships or traders, often over the phone.”
While effective, this approach limited market reach and visibility. Sales efforts were concentrated on a relatively small network of buyers, and expanding into new markets required significant time and relationship-building.
At the same time, Polmlek was looking to strengthen its position internationally and connect more directly with end customers, particularly as it scaled its lactose production.
Polmlek joined GDT not to replace its existing sales strategy, but to complement it.
“GDT allows us to present our offers not just to 20 or 30 customers, but to more than 300 buyers globally,” says Borucki.
Beyond reach, the platform provided something equally valuable: credibility.
“Being on GDT gives a certain level of recognition and trust. It reinforces the quality of our product and strengthens our position with customers.”
GDT also became an efficient channel for selling flexible or “free float” volumes, enabling Polmlek to optimize inventory and respond more dynamically to market demand.
Initially, Polmlek anticipated a complex and lengthy onboarding process.
“I expected it might take years to fully align, with technical challenges and quality requirements,” Borucki recalls.
Instead, the experience was far more straightforward.
“The process was much easier than expected. The support we received before each event was excellent. Any questions were resolved within minutes.”
This responsiveness proved especially valuable for a lean commercial setup, where time efficiency is critical.
The results were both immediate and significant.
“In the first quarter of 2026, we sold more than 10,000 tonnes of lactose,” says Borucki. “We actually sold more than expected.”
This marked a major shift in Polmlek’s sales dynamics:
“It gave us much more liquidity,” Borucki notes.
Importantly, GDT also supported growth beyond the platform itself. The visibility of auction results provided a transparent market reference point, helping Polmlek close deals in parallel channels.
“Traders are more confident now. They see the price levels on GDT and are more comfortable closing deals outside the platform as well.”
One of the most impactful outcomes was the ability to rebuild trust in previously challenging markets.
After launching lactose production in 2017, Polmlek experienced quality issues in China, which affected its reputation.
“After six months, the product started to cake, and that left a negative impression,” Borucki explains.
Through GDT, Polmlek was able to demonstrate improvements in product quality and consistency.
“Customers who had a bad experience came back, tested the product again, and now they are buying regularly.”
The platform’s transparency and structure played a key role in re-establishing credibility with international buyers.
Participation in GDT also elevated Polmlek’s visibility within the broader dairy ecosystem.
“It created a lot of interest, even among farmers in Poland,” Borucki says. “They started asking why their cooperatives were not on GDT.”
This increased recognition not only strengthened Polmlek’s market position but also contributed to wider awareness of digital trading platforms within the region.
Rather than replacing traditional methods, GDT has become a complementary tool within Polmlek’s commercial approach.
“It fits perfectly alongside our existing sales channels,” Borucki confirms.
The operational simplicity has also been a key advantage.
Following the success of lactose on the platform, Polmlek is already exploring further opportunities.
“We are considering adding more products, potentially skim milk powder, in the future,” says Borucki.
For other dairy producers considering GDT, Borucki’s message is clear:
“I have nothing but good things to say. The cooperation is smooth, efficient, and saves time. The support is outstanding, and issues are resolved very quickly.”
Global Dairy Trade (GDT) is a global online auction platform that connects dairy producers and buyers through a transparent and structured trading process. Since its launch in 2008, GDT has become a key reference point for international dairy commodity pricing, with regular auction events attracting hundreds of qualified buyers from around the world. The platform enables sellers to access a broad global customer base while providing real-time price discovery and market visibility across a range of dairy products, including milk powders, butter, cheese, and lactose. For more information contact us.