How New Zealand Became the World’s Largest Exporter of Milk
New Zealand is the world’s largest exporter of milk, with an export value of 7.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, according to Statista. The country has a long history of dairy farming and a competitive advantage in the global market. In this article, we will explore how New Zealand achieved this remarkable feat and what are the challenges and opportunities for its dairy industry.
New Zealand’s dairy history
New Zealand’s dairy industry dates back to the 19th century, when European settlers brought cows and sheep to the country. The first dairy cooperative was established in 1871, and by the end of the century, New Zealand was exporting butter and cheese to Britain. The industry expanded rapidly in the 20th century, with the introduction of refrigerated shipping, improved pasture management, and technological innovations. New Zealand also diversified its export markets, reaching Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
New Zealand’s dairy advantage
New Zealand has several factors that give it an edge over other milk producers. First, it has a favorable climate and abundant land for grazing, which allows it to produce milk at a low cost and with a low environmental impact. Second, it has a strong cooperative system that enables farmers to share resources, knowledge, and risks. Third, it has a reputation for high-quality and safe products that meet the standards and preferences of different consumers. Fourth, it has a proactive trade policy that seeks to open new markets and reduce barriers for its dairy exports.
New Zealand’s dairy challenges
Despite its success, New Zealand’s dairy industry faces some challenges that could affect its future growth and sustainability. One of them is the volatility of global prices and demand, which exposes farmers to income fluctuations and uncertainty. Another is the competition from other milk exporters, such as Germany, the United States, and the Netherlands, which are also expanding their production and market share. A third challenge is the environmental impact of dairy farming, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. A fourth challenge is the social and ethical issues related to animal welfare, labor rights, and food security.
New Zealand’s dairy opportunities
To overcome these challenges and maintain its leadership position, New Zealand’s dairy industry needs to pursue some opportunities that could enhance its performance and resilience. One of them is to invest in research and innovation, which could improve productivity, efficiency, and quality of its dairy products. Another is to diversify its product portfolio and add value to its exports, which could increase its profitability and competitiveness. A third opportunity is to adopt sustainable practices and technologies that could reduce its environmental footprint and increase its social license to operate. A fourth opportunity is to engage with stakeholders and consumers, which could strengthen its reputation and trust.
New Zealand: The World’s Largest Exporter of Milk
New Zealand is the world’s largest exporter of milk, with an export value of 7.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, according to Statista. The country has a long history of dairy farming and a reputation for producing high-quality milk products that meet the demands of global consumers. New Zealand’s dairy industry is also a major contributor to the country’s economy, accounting for about 7% of its gross domestic product (GDP) and employing over 40,000 people.
New Zealand’s success in the global milk market is largely due to its competitive advantages, such as its natural resources, favorable climate, efficient farming practices, innovative research and development, and strong trade relationships. New Zealand has abundant land and water resources that allow it to produce milk from pasture-fed cows, which are considered more sustainable and healthier than grain-fed cows. The country also has a temperate climate that enables year-round grazing and reduces the need for supplementary feed and housing. Moreover, New Zealand’s dairy farmers are highly efficient and productive, achieving an average milk yield of 4,300 liters per cow per year, which is higher than the global average of 2,200 liters.
New Zealand’s dairy industry is also supported by its research and development (R&D) sector, which invests in improving the quality, safety, and sustainability of milk products. For example, the DairyNZ organization provides funding and expertise for dairy research projects that aim to enhance animal welfare, environmental performance, farm profitability, and consumer trust. Additionally, New Zealand has established strong trade relationships with key markets around the world, especially in Asia, where the demand for milk products is growing rapidly. New Zealand has signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with several countries, such as China, Australia, Japan, and Singapore, which lower the tariffs and barriers for its milk exports.
Germany: The Second Largest Exporter of Milk
Germany is the second largest exporter of milk in the world, with an export value of 3.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, according to Statista. Germany is also the largest producer of milk in the European Union (EU), accounting for about 20% of the bloc’s total milk output. Germany’s dairy industry is a vital part of its agricultural sector, generating about 10% of its agricultural value added and employing over 100,000 people.
Germany’s strength in the global milk market stems from its diverse and high-quality milk products, its advanced technology and infrastructure, and its access to the EU single market. Germany produces a wide range of milk products, such as cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, and milk powder, that cater to different tastes and preferences of consumers around the world. Germany is also known for its strict quality standards and food safety regulations that ensure the hygiene and traceability of its milk products. Furthermore, Germany has invested in modern technology and infrastructure that enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of its dairy industry. For instance, Germany has adopted digital solutions such as sensors, robots, and data analytics that improve animal health, milk quality, and farm management. Germany also benefits from its access to the EU single market, which allows it to export its milk products without tariffs or quotas to other EU member states.
Global Demand for Milk: Trends and Challenges
The global demand for milk is expected to increase in the coming years, driven by population growth, income growth, urbanization, and changing dietary patterns. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global consumption of milk and dairy products is projected to grow by 1.7% per year until 2030. The main drivers of this growth are the emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where more people are adopting Western-style diets that include more animal-based proteins such as milk. Moreover, as incomes rise and urbanization expands in these regions, more people are able to afford processed and value-added milk products such as cheese, yogurt, and infant formula.
However, the global demand for milk also poses significant challenges for the sustainability and resilience of the dairy sector. The production of milk requires large amounts of land, water, feed, and energy resources that contribute to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. The dairy sector also faces social and economic issues such as animal welfare concerns, price volatility, market competition, trade disputes,
and public health risks. Therefore, the dairy sector needs to adopt more sustainable and innovative practices that can balance the growing demand for milk with the protection of natural resources,
the welfare of animals and farmers,
and the health of consumers.
References:
https://www.dairyindustries.com/news/32467/2019-global-dairy-top-20/
https://research.rabobank.com/publicationservice/download/publication/token/SELPa2Rs6Itj8MAIPCS6
https://research.rabobank.com/publicationservice/download/publication/token/DZCR3XJHiUA5CRRlRm6X
http://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/805280/top-exporters-of-milk-global/
https://www.worldstopexports.com/top-milk-exporting-countries/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/805280/top-exporters-of-milk-global/
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