Food Union Latvia Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Harijs Panke

Latvia’s leading dairy processing company, Food Union Latvia, on April 11 of this year, presented an award to Harijs Panke for his lifetime contribution to the leadership of Food Union companies and to the development of the independent Latvian dairy industry over the course of more than 45 years. With this, Harijs Panke concludes his active professional career in company leadership and in representing the interests of AS Rīgas Piena Kombināts and the company’s representation in the Central Union of Latvian milk manufacturers.

“Harijs Panke has been a key figure in the success story of Latvia’s leading dairy processing group for more than 45 years. His contribution to the operational leadership of AS Valmieras Piens in the early stages of its development, and later – in representing the interests of Food Union Latvia with fresh milk suppliers, industry stakeholders, regulators, and lawmakers – has been truly invaluable!

Harijs is someone colleagues look up to with immense respect, turn to for advice, and draw inspiration from, both in critical moments for the company and in day-to-day routines. His experience, humanity, and clear vision have served as an example for many. On behalf of the entire Food Union Latvia team, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Harijs for this shared journey,” said Artūrs Čirjevskis, Food Union CEO in Europe and Latvia.

“I am happy and grateful for the wonderful opportunity to work for such a long time in this sector, which is so characteristic of our Latvia, rich in tradition and of great importance. I am thankful to my wonderful colleagues, outstanding dairy farmers, partners, and especially to the consumers.I take pride in the young people in our industry, from whom I’ve learned so much – creativity, enthusiasm, and the courage to pursue even crazy ideas. It is precisely the youth in dairy farming and processing who give hope for a bright future in this sector.

There is still so much to be explored and discovered. The future holds exciting research, promising breakthroughs, and the emergence of new and excellent products. This is what I wish for my dear colleagues at Food Union Latvia – to keep learning and exploring, researching and discovering, experimenting and not fearing mistakes, and through perseverance, to reach a new, higher level for consumers and society. And to keep doing so year after year!” commented Harijs Panke.

Harijs Panke graduated in 1975 from the Latvia University of Agriculture (now Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies) as a dairy technologist, starting his career as a production manager in the Aloja and later the Jaunpiebalga dairies.

His career in Valmiera began in 1975 – initially with associated companies, starting as production manager in the Aloja dairy and later as director of the Jaunpiebalga dairy. Since 1980, he served as production manager at the main plant in Valmiera. From 1994, he held the position of board member and later chairman of the board at AS Valmieras Piens, a role he fulfilled until 2008. After that, he served for three years as chairman of the board of AS Valmieras Piens, and later, from 2011 to 2013, he returned to the role of board chairman at the dairy processing company.

Since 2013, Harijs Panke has been Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rīgas Piena Kombināts, another company within the Food Union Latvia, and since 2015, a board member of the cooperative society Central Union of Latvian milk manufacturers. In December 2024, Harijs Panke ended his work in both organizations.