The number of enterprises in the Italian dairy products sector is forecasted to experience a consistent decline from 2024 to 2028, starting at 2,690 enterprises in 2024 and decreasing to 2,500 by 2028. This represents an average annual decrease of approximately 1.84% over the five-year period, indicating a continuing trend of consolidation within the industry.

Future trends to watch for include:

Increasing demand for plant-based alternatives potentially impacting traditional dairy enterprise numbers.
Persistent cost pressures likely influencing smaller players to merge or exit.
Potential advancements in dairy processing technology that may encourage economies of scale.