Setting up Butterdane

Until the mid-1950s Danish butter was sold abroad through private exporters and regional export associations in a scattered effort characterised by the omnipresent threat of a price war. However, the creation of Butterdane in 1955 would mean a radical change of scene. The purpose of setting up Butterdane was to unite all Danish butter exporters under one umbrella, while, in the process, raising the international profile and reputation of LURPAK. Butterdane is a co-operative society whose members are individual butter-producing dairies. Its existence would change the sales setup completely as most private salesmen were gradually replaced by Butterdane’s organisation. Gathering all Danish butter producers and exporters in one organisation proved to be no easy task. But through 25 years of determined efforts Butterdane managed to cover most of the Danish LURPAK production and sales. This work provided Butterdane with huge influence on the development of LURPAK through the latter part of the 20th century. At the end of the 1970s the mission was accomplished, and largely all exporters were united. Yet, a few LURPAK exporters remain outside the society, like Nordex Food, whose sales are primarily aimed at markets in the Middle East.