Bulletin of the IDF N° 360/2001 - Structural Change in the Dairy Sector - Scanned copy

Publication description

One of the most prominent effects of GATT and WTO negotiations is the globalization of the dairy industry all over the world. However, it is not only the movement of goods across the borders that has increased in recent years, but also the activity of dairy companies outside their home country. Whether this takes the form of transfer of know-how, joint venture or direct financial involvement in a foreign country, the dairy industry shows itself increasingly venturesome in its expansion. These activities beyond national borders are stimulated partly by existing cross-border barriers and partly by the desire to join forces with regionally based companies and their staff to manufacture dairy products that may meet wider acceptance. Not to forget the fact that dairy products with a limited shelf life can only be distributed at short distance. A company wishing to make its trade name known in far-away countries will have to get involved there.

This IDF Bulletin describes the efforts for internationalisation on the basis of several milk-producing regions. In this context, dairy industries in the following countries should be mentioned: United States of America, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Canada, Ireland and Poland.