Dairy Industry Leaders Convene in Medellín Amid Import Pressures
From July 8 to 10, Medellín, Colombia, hosts the 12th International Dairy Industry Congress alongside the 18th Pan-American Dairy Congress. This significant event brings together more than 1,300 leaders and analysts from 16 countries to discuss pressing challenges in the dairy sector, including economic pressures and technological advancements.
Colombia's dairy industry currently faces a challenging situation, with imports of powdered milk and derivatives increasing by more than 75% in the first quarter of 2026. This surge follows the implementation of a complete tariff elimination with the United States, leading to decreased local milk prices and increased competition for Colombian producers.
The Colombian Association of Milk Processors (Asoleche) and the Pan-American Dairy Federation (Fepale) have collaborated to address these issues. Asoleche's executive president, Ana María Gómez Montes, emphasized the importance of the congress in discussing food security and nutritional sovereignty across the continent. The theme 'The Future is Written with Milk' underscores the focus on integrating artificial intelligence into production, sustainability, and shifting consumer trends.
Ariel Londinsky, Fepale's secretary-general, highlighted the need to revalue the socioeconomic impact of the dairy supply chain, from farms to commercial shelves. The choice of Colombia as the host reflects its dynamic production capabilities, rich livestock tradition, and potential for increased exports, attracting global investor attention.
International figures such as Gilles Froment, president of the International Dairy Federation, and Krysta Harden, CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, are participating. The exchange of data with corporations from the Americas and Europe is crucial for forming a unified response to market and biological challenges.
The conference aims to improve efficiency in modern dairy farming and ensure rural competitiveness as key strategies for sustaining food security in the coming decades.
