Agropur celebrates its 87th anniversary

Since 1938, the cooperative founded in Granby has been providing healthy and nutritious dairy products to North American families.  

The story is, above all, one of collective strength dedicated to the common good.  As we celebrate our 87th anniversary on August 24, Agropur highlights the importance and resilience of its cooperative model,which has guided us to become the largest dairy cooperative in Canada and the 7th largest in the world.  

Our story dates to the wake of the Great Depression and a belief in that unity could help dairy farmers overcome the deep struggles of that era. In 1938, farmer Omer Deslauriers and agronomist Alpha Mondou engaged in an extensive door-to-door campaign to convince dairy farmers in rural Quebec to form a cooperative. 

On August 24, 1938, they brought together 87 local farmers in the town of Granby. Each contributed about $50 to form the Société coopérative agricole du canton de Granby, which would eventually become Agropur.  

Initially, the cooperative focused on providing farm supplies to its members. However, activities soon shifted to processing the milk produced by the cooperative’s member farmers.  

Growth has been a defining characteristic of Agropur throughout our history. Today, we’re honored to have our nutritious, high-quality dairy products on tables across North America and around the world.  

Our 87 founding members would be proud to see their movement thriving 87 years later.Agropur wishes a happy anniversary to its nearly 2,700 dairy farmer members and nearly 7,000 employees. We also offer our thanks. Every day, they contribute to our promise, “Better Dairy. Better World.”