Walmart to Build $350 Million Milk Processing Plant in Georgia

Retail giant Walmart has announced its plan to build a $350 million milk processing plant in Georgia. The plant would provide milk to more than 750 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in Georgia and neighboring states. Walmart has previously purchased its Great Value branded milk from other dairy cooperatives.

However, the store has built a series of milk processing plants to control production for one of the most price-sensitive grocery commodities. The news follows announcements from other large grocers like Kroger. Georgia Milk Producers reports the state has 89 dairy farms with 92,000 dairy cows and more than one thousand head per farm producing 235 million gallons of milk annually.

Critics of the announcement say the new facility will support large operations and further pressurize smaller dairy farms.

Read more on Walmart’s dairy strategy here.