ADPF Strategic Plan: Shaping the next era for a stronger dairy future

Australia’s dairy processors stand at the heart of our nation’s food system, transforming perishable, raw milk into high-quality, nutritious products that feed the nation and power daily life.

Behind that transformation is one of the nation’s most important manufacturing sectors: high-skilled, high-impact, and essential to our national resilience.

We are an industry that matters.

We rely on genuine partnerships, collaboration, respect, and a shared vision for growth.

As we approach our AGM this week and the launch of the ADPF FY2026-2030 Strategic Plan – we are reflecting on the road ahead and the responsibility we share.

Australian dairy processors have a presence in every state and deep roots in regional Australia.

We contribute billions to the economy, invest in sustainability, and support tens of thousands of jobs across the supply chain.

We are the anchor between farm and family and the dairy products we produce fill supermarket fridges, cafes, school canteens, homes and export containers.

Our success supports the entire chain: the farmer who milks at dawn, the truck driver on the road, the worker in the plant, and the consumer who trusts Australian dairy for quality and nutrition.

But the reality is, we continue to face mounting pressure caused by soaring electricity, gas, ingredient, insurance and compliance costs.

The pressures from long-term decline in milk supply from 11 billion litres 20 years ago, to 8.315 billion litres (FY2025).

Supermarket concentration is intensifying, with private-label and imported products pushing trusted Australian brands off the shelf.

One in four dairy products consumed in Australia is from overseas.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for Australian dairy to remain cost-competitive – a growing threat to food security, local jobs, and the livelihoods of farming communities.

ADPF’s new Strategic Plan delivers a decisive blueprint to restore balance, rebuild confidence and secure long-term prosperity for Australia’s dairy processors.

It is about action; decisive, measurable, future focused.

Action to deliver a sustainable, profitable and growing raw milk supply, to improve competitiveness and market opportunities.

Action to ensure the industry that feeds our nation remains strong, innovative and resilient.

Three simple serves of dairy – milk, yoghurt and cheese – provide the calcium and protein our bodies need, plus other essential nutrients, prebiotics and probiotics, to keep Australians well and strong.

Dairy isn’t just nutritious – it’s unmatched.

If Australians met recommended intake levels, we’d avoid about $2 billion in healthcare costs each year. For older Australians, reaching 3.5 serves could save a further $66 million.

Few industries deliver such clear value to both our economy and our health.

A plan for growth and value-creation

The ADPF Strategic Plan sets out six clear priorities for the next five years – directly linked to the industry’s Dairy Productivity, Competitiveness and Value-Creation Project, and focused on profitability and growth, trust and respect.

All are essential to growing raw milk supply, improving operational efficiency, and driving value, ensuring future competitiveness in domestic and international markets.

As an industry we must focus on productivity and unity, so we can compete with confidence, and make it easy for consumers to choose our quality, affordable, nutritious Australian dairy products.

This is why ADPF will advocate for policies that make energy and inputs more affordable, promote innovation and investment, and ensure Australia’s Dairy Code, nutrition and food labelling, and sustainability frameworks remain fit for purpose.

We will continue to back our members in reducing emissions – industry data shows dairy processors have cut absolute emissions by about 40 per cent since 2010 – and are diverting 85 per cent of waste from landfill.

Above all, we will champion unity.

Dairy’s future cannot be secured by one part of the supply chain alone.

Dairy farmers, processors, retailers, consumers and government need to work together to ensure our industry remains a sovereign strength.

Productive, profitable and proudly Australian.

Our commitment

At ADPF, we see the next five years as decisive.

Australia can’t afford to lose the capability that turns local milk into world-class dairy foods.

We can’t afford to watch dairy manufacturing and jobs slip offshore.

This new strategic plan is our commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with farmers, invest in our people, modernise our plants, and secure the markets that keep our regional communities alive.

When the dairy industry is strong, Australia is strong.

And if we stay focused on lifting productivity, unity and on the future, we will be stronger still.

John Williams, Chair

Janine Waller, CEO

Australian Dairy Products Federation

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