Milk-and-Dairy-Products-in-Human-Nutrition-FAO

30
Milk and dairy products in human nutrition
figure 2.13
Net exports of dairy products from developed and developing countries, 1961–2008
40.0
30.0
20.0
Million tonnes
10.0
0.0
-10.0
1961
1963
1965
1967
1969
1971
1973
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
-20.0
-30.0
Developed
Developing
Source: FAOSTAT, 2011.
In spite of the subsidization of the sector, the developing countries as a group
are net importers of dairy products, and their dependency on imports has been
increasing (Figure 2.13), reflecting the higher degree of subsidization prevailing in
the developing countries. All major developing country regions are net importers of
dairy products in volume terms.
2.6 Future trends in production and consumption
of dairy products
The rapid growth of the livestock sector, including dairy, in large parts of the
developing world has been essentially demand-driven. The factors that have
encouraged growth in demand in developing countries – rising incomes, urbanization
and population growth – will continue to be important over the coming
decades. Population growth, although slowing, will continue. Urbanization is
considered unstoppable. Income growth is generally considered the strongest
driver of increased demand for dairy products. In the longer run growing incomes
will continue fuelling demand growth. The effect of economic growth on demand
for dairy and other livestock products depends on the rate of growth and where
it occurs. Demand is more responsive to income growth in low-income countries
than in higher-income countries. Overall the potential for expanding per capita
consumption remains vast in large parts of the developing world as rising incomes
translate into growing purchasing power (FAO, 2006) (Table 2.7). Growth in consumption
and production of dairy products is expected to remain strong although
slowing somewhat.