A cooperative born from the land, for the land
Our History and Identity – Lait Cooperative
Lait Dairy Cooperative was founded in 1959 in Ittiri, in the heart of north-western Sardinia, from the merger of two small cooperatives established in the early 1950s. From the very beginning, the goal was clear: to process the milk produced by the member shepherds into high-quality cheeses and to manage their distribution directly. An ambitious project, deeply rooted in Sardinian agricultural tradition and strengthened by a strong cooperative spirit.
Today, LAIT is a solid cooperative with about 350 contributing members, whose farms are spread across a wide area including the municipality of Ittiri, the Nurra plain, Coros and much of the Logudoro. A deep bond with the land and with a network of farmers who are the beating heart of its production.
Quality, innovation and sustainability at the core
Since its foundation, LAIT has stood out for its commitment to producing safe, authentic, high-quality cheeses that combine respect for tradition with attention to evolving tastes, especially those of new generations of consumers.
Sustainability is now a key strategic focus: from production processes to energy management, every choice aims to reduce environmental impact, enhance local resources and safeguard workers’ wellbeing.
At the same time, the cooperative has invested heavily in modernising its facilities and digitalising processes, embracing the principles of Industry 4.0. This path has made LAIT a virtuous model of integration between artisanal know-how and technological innovation.
Steady growth: from the first plant to today’s capacity
The first LAIT plant was built in the San Giovanni area, with an initial processing capacity of about 5 million litres of milk per year. The steady growth of the cooperative soon required a new facility, completed in the early 1990s. This second plant underwent two subsequent expansions, reaching the current capacity of around 20 million litres of milk processed annually.
drone photo: franco fadda - web01.it
Pecorino Romano PDO and beyond: an international vocation
Pecorino Romano PDO is the cooperative’s flagship product, accounting for the majority of production. Alongside it, LAIT offers a wide range of aged, semi-aged and fresh cheeses, designed to meet diverse tastes and dietary habits.
A strong focus on international markets has always driven growth: LAIT cheeses are successfully distributed in the United States, Canada, Europe, as well as across Italy and locally in Sardinia.
Internationally recognised certifications
To guarantee the quality of its products and processes, Lait Dairy Cooperative has obtained important certifications, including:
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PDO Pecorino Romano
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PDO Pecorino Sardo
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BRC (British Retail Consortium)
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IFS (International Featured Standards)
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ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
These certifications confirm compliance with the strictest international standards in food safety, traceability, process management and overall quality.
