Minas Gerais celebrates Milk Day as dairy output hits record

On 26 June, Patos de Minas hosted the municipal Milk Day, organized by the Federação das Cooperativas de Leite de Minas Gerais (Fecoagro Leite Minas). The event gathered producers, cooperatives, sector leaders and officials to discuss the dairy industry's challenges and its economic and social relevance.

Brazil’s inspected dairies are projected to collect 27.5 billion litres of milk in 2025, an 8.5 % increase over the previous year and the highest volume in IBGE’s history, marking the third consecutive year of growth. Minas Gerais, the country’s main milk basin, contributed about 24 % of national output, producing roughly 9.8 billion litres in 2024. The state’s dairy sector represents over 60 000 rural producers through 34 cooperatives.

Officials highlighted ongoing pressures such as imports from Mercosur, price volatility for producers and rising production costs, which threaten farm profitability. Participants signed an institutional commitment to strengthen the supply chain, emphasizing technical support, market development and regional growth. The dairy sector remains a crucial source of employment, rural income and cooperativism across Brazil.