Report The dairy industry is the fourth largest rural industry in Australia and is a key sector of the agricultural economy. In 2019/20 dairy generated $4.8 billion in farmgate value alone and the dairy industry is a major source of employment across regional areas.
The Australian Dairy Industry In Focus 2020 report provides a snapshot of Australia’s role in the global dairy industry, based on statistics for the 2019/20 year.
Dairy Australia has a key industry role in being able to quantify the flow of milk across Australia, which is processed into a wider range of dairy products and then sold into diverse markets in Australia and overseas
The first half of the 2019/20 proved challenging for many dairy farmers in Australia, with ongoing dry seasonal conditions increasing the cost of feed and water. However, following the return to more favourable farming conditions in December 2019, Australia’s national milk pool started to recover. In 2019/20 Australian dairy farmers produced 8,776 million litres of milk, down 0.2% from the year prior.
In 2019/20 there were 5,055 registered dairy farms operating in Australia. The Australian dairy industry is a major source of employment, especially across regional areas. In 2019/20 it’s estimates that 43,500 people were directly employed on dairy farms and by dairy companies. Associated transport, distribution, farm services and research and development activities represent further employment associated with the industry.
Australia is a significant exporter of dairy products. It ranks fourth in terms of world dairy trade, with a 5% market share behind New Zealand, the European Union and the United States. In 2019/20 the Australian dairy industry exported 29% of milk produced and Greater China (China, Hong Kong and Macau) is Australia’s largest export market, accounting for 32% of exports by volume.
Refer below for our most recent In Focus reports. Visit the Resources page for all previous In Focus reports.
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