Dairy Farming and the Canadian Economy
Milk production on farms supports $30 billion in economic activity in Canada. This is generated through sales and manufacturing of milk, and by jobs and economic activity created in the industries that provide goods and services to dairy farmers and processors.
- The dairy industry adds a net $9.7 billion to the Canadian Gross Domestic Product.
- Milk sales from Canadian farms are valued at $5.3 (2008) billion dollars.
- The sale of processed dairy products is valued at $13.1 billion.
Economic Contribution by Dairy Farm
The average dairy farm has 70 milking cows and produces 562,300 litres of milk per year.
According to an economic study by Dr. Maurice Doyon in 2004, dairy farms employ an average of three people and create indirect employment for 1.4 more. When we add the jobs in the processing sector, each farm creates employment for eight people!
Dairy Farming and Employment for Canadians
The dairy industry generates employment for 160,000 Canadians, making it one of the largest employers in agriculture!
Canada's dairy farms create 57,500 jobs on farms.
Another 28,200 jobs are created through the sale of goods and services to dairy producers.
These include feed, machinery, veterinary and breeding services, transportation and promotion.
The dairy processing industry generates directly and indirectly another 74,300 jobs through processing, packaging, transportation, handling, marketing and inspection, to name a few.
