A new report by the FAO and the OECD predicts that global milk production will grow by 1.7% annually, reaching 1.02 billion tonnes by 2030. The majority of this production will be cow's milk, with butter production expected to grow at 1.9% annually. India and Pakistan are expected to contribute over half of the world's milk production growth in the next decade. The dairy sector has shown resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the impact varying regionally.
The report also highlights the need to improve genetics, feeding efficiency, and animal health to increase yield. The European Union is expected to see a decline in dairy herds, while North America is expected to see production growth from yield increases. Africa is projected to have strong production growth, with most milk production coming from goats and sheep. The dairy sector has been more resilient than other sectors during the pandemic, with the impact varying regionally.