The largest and most modern dairy production complex in Europe, developed in Lithuania, has become the foundation of an international business model. UAB “Agrokoncerno pienas”, part of the Agrokoncernas Group, is launching “Dairy Space” – a dairy production franchise designed for investors and dairy business developers seeking to establish efficient, large-scale farms in markets around the world. The franchise is aimed at established large dairy farms, agricultural enterprises, dairy cooperatives, agribusiness investment funds and new market entrants. Priority will be given to countries that regard dairy farming as a strategic component of their national economy and food supply chain, actively promote sector modernisation and productivity growth, and provide favourable conditions for long-term expansion.
International partners will gain access to the experience accumulated in Lithuania, standardised operating processes and solutions proven under real-world conditions across the entire dairy production value chain – from complex design and construction management to herd management, feed production, staff training and day-to-day operations. The aim is to help address one of the key challenges facing the global dairy industry: meeting growing demand for dairy products through efficient, competitive and sustainable milk production.
The franchise is based on the “Ateities Ūkis” (“Farm of the Future”) dairy cattle complex operating in the Radviliškis district. The complex integrates animal welfare, genetics, reproduction, feeding, automation, data analytics, economic management and environmental solutions into a single system.
The project’s greatest value lies not only in its buildings or advanced equipment. The development and operation of the complex have generated practical expertise, established operating standards, economic planning tools and clearly defined principles for technology integration. This experience will now be shared with international investors.
“When we decided to build a dairy production complex on this scale, we looked for an existing model elsewhere in the world that we could follow. We could not find one. We therefore built everything ourselves – from the initial concept to the day-to-day operating processes. Today, Lithuania has something that we are ready to share with the world,” says Ramūnas Karbauskis, originator of the “Farm of the Future” concept.
An Integrated Operating System, Not a Standalone Technology
“Dairy Space” is not a traditional franchise based solely on a brand, a farm design or a specific equipment package. Its purpose is to provide investors with a proven dairy production business model and expert support throughout every stage of project implementation and operation.
Franchisees will receive comprehensive expert support not only during farm planning, implementation and start-up, but throughout the entire operating period. Advisory services will cover animal welfare, reproduction, herd health, feeding, productivity and workforce organisation. These areas will be audited periodically, with recommendations provided to the franchisee. Future franchisees will also be able to draw on the Agrokoncernas Group’s partner network and source the livestock equipment and solutions required for dairy operations.
“Our franchise will enable investors to expand more rapidly and manage project development and operational risks more effectively. We provide far more than drawings or an equipment list. We also transfer the decision-making logic, process standards, economic planning tools and specialist expertise required to establish and manage an efficient dairy production operation. This allows a new project to be launched on the basis of experience gained from an operating complex, rather than on theoretical assumptions alone,” says Gabija Stanislovaitytė, Managing Director of UAB “Agrokoncerno pienas”.
Three Complex Models Tailored to Different Investor Needs
Partners can choose from three standardised dairy production complex models designed for herds of approximately 2,700, 3,600 or 4,500 milking cows. The respective models feature 60-, 80- or 100-stall rotary milking parlours.
In each case, the core solution will be adapted to the country’s climate, regulatory environment, available land, feed production capacity and the investor’s business objectives.
“A standardised model provides a reliable foundation, but it is not a direct copy of a single project. Every market has its own characteristics, so the final technical and economic solutions will be developed in light of local conditions and the individual investor’s capabilities,” emphasises Stanislovaitytė.
Prospective franchisees are invited to visit the “Farm of the Future”, where they can explore the complex’s infrastructure, technologies, organisational solutions and economic model.
International Interest Emerged Before the Official Launch
Although “Dairy Space” is only now being officially launched, the project began attracting international interest much earlier. The “Farm of the Future” has already welcomed visitors from Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Canada and other countries, who came to examine the Lithuanian-developed dairy production model first-hand and assess its potential application in their own markets.
“News of our dairy production complex reached international partners even before the franchise was officially launched. This showed that the market is looking not only for new equipment, but also for comprehensive solutions that have already been implemented in practice. Investors need to understand not only which technologies to choose, but also how to integrate them into an efficiently managed business,” notes Karbauskis.
The development of the “Farm of the Future” brought together the expertise of Lithuanian specialists from a range of disciplines, Agrokoncernas Group companies, research institutions and technology partners. The project encompassed crop production, feed production, livestock farming, design, construction, energy, automation and data analytics.
Lithuanian Expertise for the Global Market
The “Farm of the Future” complex is designed to accommodate approximately 10,000 cattle: around 4,500 milking cows and 5,500 youngstock. Planned annual raw milk production is approximately 51,000 tonnes.
The operating complex and the data collected within it make it possible to continuously assess the effectiveness of implemented solutions, improve processes and offer international investors a system grounded in practical experience rather than theoretical assumptions.
The objective of “Dairy Space” is to support the development of efficient, competitive and responsibly managed dairy production complexes in countries around the world. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to bring Lithuanian expertise in agriculture, livestock farming, technology and business management to the international market.
