Australia produces more milk than can be consumed domestically. The option to export high value products into international markets gives Australian dairy producers the opportunity of diversification as an alternative to the highly concentrated domestic retail market. If export was not an available option, then the Australian milk pool would need to contract to the level of domestic consumption.
In 2022-23, Australia exported 30 per cent of milk produced worth $3.7 billion, which helps generate significant value for Australian farmers and exporters. This provides opportunities to build the overall industry profitability and sustainability while maintaining resilience in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
Improvements to market access, reductions in dairy tariffs and charges and the management of technical market access barriers will provide a greater diversity of market options. It will also reduce the cost of exporting, contributing to higher returns through the supply chain and ultimately farmers getting paid a fairer price for the milk that is exported. Dairy Australia is continuously working to ensure that Australian dairy farmers and dairy products are valued around the world for their high-quality production, sustainability and premium products.
A key part of this is ensuring that Australian farmers and industry have a broader customer base beyond Australia's borders preferring Australian dairy. Supported by years of market development work, today there is .
