Leading dairy-related companies came together at the International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN) Supporter Conference, held Sept. 16-18 in Oxford, UK. IFCN provided the latest global information on milk production and overall sector developments.
The event, hosted by Arla UK, focused on the key developments in milk production, milk prices and milk production costs from 1996 to 2012. For the first time, the IFCN was also able to provide a short-term outlook for the years 2013-2014, as well as a long-term outlook until the year 2023.Furthermore, the participants had the chance to understand the needs, challenges and opportunities of the UK dairy sector.
The event brought together a record number of 123 participants representing 83 global leading companies related to milk production. These companies represent all stages of the dairy chain such as milk processing, milking equipment, feeding, farm machinery, animal health, hygiene, genetics, consulting and milk packaging.
The IFCN's global 10-year dairy outlook is based on the IFCN standard products (global dairy sector databases, the farm databases) and expert knowledge from IFCN researchers.
Key points included:
- Milk demand will grow until 2023 by 29 percent
- World dairy farm numbers reached a peak in 2012 with 123 million and will decline from now on
- World average farm size is projected to move from 2.9 to 3.8 cows per farm in 2023
- New Zealand and the EU will be the largest milk exporting countries
- Brazil will develop as a substantial dairy importer
- China will be the largest dairy importer
- Russia will be the second-largest dairy importing country, importing volumes similar to 2012's
Further information can be obtained by email. PD
—From IFCN news release
