Dairy leaders gear up to tap into growth in emerging markets

Industry predictions of soaring future consumption of dairy products in Asia and India are not being matched by demand in more easily accessible and lucrative European markets, according to analysts.

While Irish co-ops and farmer groups welcome the high demand predictions in the 2012-2015 Rabobank Dairy Outlook, the growing regional disparities also raise significant challenges — not least the need for market measures to protect farmers against milk price volatility.

However, it seems any EU hopes of gaining income from dairy will require a stronger focus on longer distance exports. Between them, China, India and South East Asia will account for more than 80% of future market volume growth.