Modular mini dairy plant: tips on setting one up

Russia currently faces a shortage of high-quality milk and dairy products. Small family farms do not produce enough to meet the full demand. That makes setting up milk and dairy production a good idea — provided, of course, that you do not cut corners on raw milk and you make a quality product.

Building a dairy plant from scratch is a long and, naturally, expensive undertaking. For those who still want to start their own production there is an excellent solution — a modular mini dairy plant. In essence it is a container fitted with a specific set of equipment. The number and type of machines can be selected for a particular product — for example, a modular mini cheese dairy. Alternatively, you can choose a fairly versatile set that covers storage, processing and packaging. In addition, such plants do not require lengthy approvals and come with ready-made designs.

The range of products they can make is quite wide:

• drinking milk;
• cultured dairy products such as kefir, ryazhenka (baked fermented milk), yoghurts, etc.;
• tvorog (quark) and curd desserts;
• hard and processed cheeses;
• cream and milkshakes.

How do you choose the right mini plant, and what must you pay attention to?

First, check that the equipment manufacturer has complied with all the regulations and requirements that apply to dairy plants. Also make sure that the equipment offered will be sufficient for the planned production volume. Be sure to check the materials the equipment will be made from: food processing equipment must be built from food-grade stainless steel.

Apart from the technical aspects of the plant itself, think through the other questions of organizing the business. For example, the plant should be located close to the raw milk supply and to the market for its products. It must also be possible to connect utilities such as water and electricity. And, of course, you will need to hire qualified staff.

Overall, experience shows that such a plant can pay for itself in a year and a half to two years when producing milk, and even faster if you make an additional product range.

The Milberg plant offers a wide range of equipment for dairy farms, including modular mini dairy plants that are ideal for small family farms. In line with food safety and hygiene standards, all equipment manufactured at our plant is made of high-quality stainless steel approved for use in the food industry.

If you need to buy milk processing equipment, submit a request on the website or contact our specialists by phone.