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Dairy Industry in Austria
Austria is renowned for its high-quality dairy products, and its dairy industry plays a crucial role in the national economy. The country has leveraged its natural resources and advanced farming techniques to sustain a robust dairy sector.
Milk Production
Austria produces approximately 3.8 billion liters of milk annually. The country's favorable climate and rich pastures contribute to this substantial output.
Dairy Cattle
Austria is home to about 540,000 dairy cows. These cows are primarily raised in family-owned farms, ensuring high standards of animal welfare and milk quality.
Milk Processing
The volume of milk processed annually in Austria is around 3.5 billion liters. The country has a well-developed processing infrastructure that supports a wide range of dairy products.
Cheese Production
Austria produces approximately 200,000 tons of cheese every year. Austrian cheeses, such as Bergkäse and Emmental, are popular both domestically and internationally.
Milk Powder and Whey Production
Milk powder production in Austria amounts to about 50,000 tons annually. Additionally, the country produces around 20,000 tons of whey each year.
Key Enterprises
- Berglandmilch
- NÖM AG
- SalzburgMilch
- Ennstal Milch
- Kärntnermilch
Major Dairy Farms
- Biohof Achleitner
- Pell-Menghof
- Bauernhof Maurer
- GailtalBauer
- Reitbauerhof
Export of Dairy Products
Austria exports around €1.4 billion worth of dairy products each year. Key export markets include Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Import of Dairy Products
The country imports dairy products worth approximately €800 million annually, mainly from other EU countries.
Recent Developments
In a significant development, Lactalis, one of the world's largest dairy producers, has announced its plan to acquire BMI dairy assets, thereby expanding its presence in Southern Germany. This acquisition is expected to have a ripple effect on the Austrian dairy market, given the geographical proximity and cross-border trade relations.
Modified: 2024/10/08