Our joint submission with Dairy Australia on non-fat milk solids sets the record straight on how Australia’s dairy industry operates and why it matters.

Australian dairy processors operate in a highly competitive, export-exposed market. More than 30 per cent of our milk production is exported, supported by an extensive network of free trade agreements and a strong reputation for quality and food safety.

In our submission, we explain that non-fat milk solids in Australia are not speculative commodities. They are largely produced to order, used in higher-value products and specialised ingredients, and sold through long-term customer contracts – not dumped onto global markets.

We also outline the real pressures shaping the sector: a long-term decline in milk supply, rising energy and compliance costs, increasing import competition, and the need to protect sovereign manufacturing capability in regional Australia.

Our message is:

• Australian dairy is open, efficient, and market-driven
• our exports are disciplined, value-focused, and demand-led, and
• our future depends on policies that recognise these realities and support competitiveness.

When Australian dairy processors can invest with confidence, we deliver nutrition, jobs, and trusted food to markets at home and across the region.

More: Read our submission.