Canada’s Dairy Industry at a Glance
-Overview
-Canadian milk and dairy products are world-renowned for their excellence and are as diverse as its land and people. Enforcement of strict quality standards on dairy farms and in processing plants adds to this international reputation, along with strong commitment to sound animal welfare practices and environmental sustainability.
The dairy industry ranks third in the Canadian agricultural sector following grains & oilseeds, and red meats. In 2011, dairy production in Canada generated total net farm receipts of $5.8 billion and sales of $13.7 billion, representing 16.4% of the Canadian food and beverage sector.
82% of Canadian dairy farms are located in Ontario and Quebec, 13% in the Western provinces and 5% in the Atlantic Provinces. The Canadian dairy cattle population totals 1.4 million and the typical Canadian dairy farm has 77 cows.
There are 453 milk processing plants (including 273 federally-inspected) contributing to more than 22,500 jobs across Canada.
The Canadian dairy sector operates under a supply management system based on planned domestic production, administered pricing and dairy product import controls. Canada is also an importer of dairy products. The European Union is the largest exporter to Canada followed by the United States and New Zealand. The major imported products are specialty cheeses and milk protein ingredients.
