World Milk Day: Worldwide increase in dairy consumption

Today, the dairy industry and consumers worldwide are celebrating World Milk Day.

- Advertisement -

The day is observed annually on 1 June, and was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization to raise awareness about the milk industry and the importance of milk as a global food.

READ Hygienic hand milking

Figures from the South African Milk Processors Organisation (SAMPRO) revealed that the demand for dairy products in South Africa was growing. According to Dr Koos Coetzee, chief economist at the Milk Producers Organisation (MPO), South Africa’s per capita consumption of dairy products was currently 58kg, up from approximately 45kg in 2005. Liquid milk and liquid milk products, such as yoghurt, constituted about 60%, roughly 34kg, of the total per capita consumption.

SAMPO statistics also indicated that the long-life milk (UHT) sector consistently grew at a faster rate than the rest of the liquid milk sector, exceeding fresh milk sales after 2014. UHT retail sales increased by 14,4% in 2015, compared to the 4,1% increase in 2014 and the 8% increase in 2013. Fresh milk sales, however, declined by 1,6% in 2015, 1,2% in 2014 and 5,9% in 2013.

- Advertisement -

“Consumption of dairy products is increasing because of the growth of the middle class,” Coetzee said. Population growth, urbanisation and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in dairy consumption.

A 2015 International Dairy Federation report, quoted by Coetzee, indicated that dairy consumption was growing at a faster rate in developing nations than in developed countries. Over the past eight years, world dairy consumption had grown by 8%.