The production of pasteurized whole milk in Italy has been generally declining over the past decade. From 2013 to 2023, the annual volume decreased from 797.47 to 681.54 thousand metric tons. The year-on-year variation showed a notable drop of 6.39% in 2023, while the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years was -1.37%. The forecasted data for 2028 indicates a continuation of this downward trend with an average annual decrease of 1.47% and an overall decline of 7.14% over the next five years.
Future trends to watch for:
• Increased competition from plant-based milk alternatives.
• Rising production costs and their impact on small to medium-sized dairy farms.
• Potential policy changes at the EU level regarding agricultural subsidies and dairy industry support.
• Shifts in consumer preferences towards organic and locally sourced dairy products.
