Milk Summit Mercosul 2026 will examine dairy competitiveness
The presentation, titled “The future of milk has arrived, and now?”, is due to take place in Ijuí, in Rio Grande do Sul. Martins, a former director of Embrapa, will discuss business models for dairy farms and companies regardless of the size of their properties.
He argues that Brazil’s dairy market can accommodate small-scale operations that supply nearby consumers while remaining competitive and profitable. In his account, smaller businesses need to control expenditure, improve output and maintain high standards in their processes and products.
Martins also says that producers must engage more directly with commercial negotiations. “You cannot be a producer without negotiating; much is said about production and little about business,” he said.
During the event, he plans to tell the story of two young men, Antônio and João. They are the same age, have the same level of education and live in the same municipality. Antônio chooses to become a milk producer, while João decides to own a dairy-processing business. The presentation will follow the difficulties they encounter and end with a conclusion that Martins describes as unexpected.
Martins said producers were making visible progress by exchanging information and seeking technical and economic knowledge. At sector level, he called for milk sales to be less closely tied to the commodity market and for companies to pursue products and arrangements with greater added value. “Producers need to be better paid, and the sector needs to find new marketing strategies,” he said.
He also said that meetings such as the Milk Summit could bring farmers and industry together around a common objective. “We need outside experiences to solve problems. Presenting different perspectives from other countries brings considerable value,” he said.
The 2026 summit is being organised jointly by Sindilat, Rio Grande do Sul’s agriculture secretariat, the municipality of Ijuí, Emater/RS-Ascar, Sebrae/RS, Suport D’ Leite and Impulsa Ijuí. Diamond sponsors include Fecoagro/RS, Italac, Lactalis, Piracanjuba and Tetra Pak. Sicredi das Culturas RS/MG and Sistema FIERGS are gold sponsors; Unianálises/Univates is a silver sponsor; and Launer Química, Santa Clara, Senar and Suifarma are bronze sponsors.
