The event, supported by Ceva Sante Animale focused on the key developments in milk production, milk prices and milk production costs from 1996 to 2012, a short term outlook for the years 2013-2014 as well as a long term outlook until the year 2023.

The event was bringing together a record number of 123 participants representing 83 global leading companies representing all stages of the dairy chain such as milk processing, milking equipment, feeding, farm machinery, animal health, hygiene, genetics, consulting and milk packaging.

 

World Dairy Industry set for strong growth in next decade

Some key facts and figures

 

World milk production will pass the level of 1,000 million tonnes (mt.) in 2023 (2012: 780 mt.) up by 29% or 20 mt. (2.3%) per annum

World dairy farm numbers reached their peak in 2012 with 123 million units and will decline from now on

Small family producers still dominate– average herd size only 3 cows with 95% of farms family owned

Large farms produce 40% of current supplies and number set to grow,

Global dairy trade will increase from 8 to 10% of world milk production (+40mt). This means a higher share of milk demand growth will be provided via imports and not as much as in the past from local milk production.

New Zealand and the EU will be the largest milk exporting countries (27mt.)

Supply growth will come from South Asia, Africa and parts of South America. The BRIC’s will be the biggest importers:

Brazil will develop towards a substantial dairy importer (4.9 mt.)

India will become a net importer of dairy products (2.1 mt.)

China with 16 mt. by far the largest dairy importer (2012: 5.8 mt.) and Russia will be the second largest.

_{*source IFCN (International Farm Comparison Network 2013)}