Dairy industry experts discuss shift toward value-added production

During the 23rd International Dairy Community Forum in Białystok, industry experts discussed the shifting landscape of the European dairy sector. Discussions highlighted that increasing production scale alone may no longer be sufficient for growth. Paweł Gaca, president of Spomlek, noted that the industry must transition from focusing on quantity to seeking higher value-added through functional, specialized, and branded products to ensure profitability.

In Germany, the sector is experiencing significant structural changes. Friedrich Diesselhorst of the German Dairy Association reported that while milk production has remained stable or increased, the number of dairy farms has decreased by 49% over the last 15 years, alongside a 14% reduction in cattle numbers. This shift has resulted in larger average herd sizes and higher efficiency per cow.

Experts emphasized the difficulty of long-term agricultural planning due to market volatility. Because investments such as building barns or automating milking systems require significant capital and long payback periods, the lack of long-term stability makes it challenging for farmers to commit to multi-year development plans.