In 2023, the hours worked in the dairy and cheese processing industry in Italy stood below 62.288 million hours. Forecasts indicate slight growth each year, reaching 62.888 million hours by 2028. The year-on-year growth for 2025 and 2026 is approximately 0.24%, with a similar trend visible up to 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2028 is minimal, reflecting a stable yet gradually expanding processing industry.
Future trends to watch include potential impacts of technological advancements improving efficiency, shifts in consumer preferences towards plant-based alternatives, and economic factors that could affect production demand and workforce needs.