Browse Data and Analysis

Milk production for 2025 in Australia is forecast to increase by 1.1 percent to 8.8 million metric tons (MMT) after strong growth of 2.7 percent for 2024 at an estimated 8.7 MMT from previous years of declining production.

Germany is the largest market for food and beverages in the European Union importing USD 69 billion worth of consumer-oriented agricultural products in 2023. The food retail sector is saturated, highly consolidated, and competitive.

Australia is experiencing a cost-of-living crisis due to rising inflation. Consumer behavior and societal trends are driving shifts in shopping habits. Meanwhile, sustainability, waste reduction, food integrity, and healthy eating are key factors influencing product choices.

Milk production in Australia for 2024 is estimated to increase, for the first time since 2020, by 3.3 percent to 8.75 million metric tons (MMT). Industry confidence is elevated by high milk prices for dairy farmers over recent years and, also lower feed and fertilizer prices and broadly good seasonal conditions in 2024.

The food processing industry represents the fourth-largest industry in Germany. According to the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries (BEV) estimates, Germany produced $238.9 (€ 218.5) billion of processed food and drinks in 2022.

Australia’s food, beverage, and grocery sectors, contribute to a third of all business activity in the manufacturing landscape.

Milk production for 2024 in Australia is forecast to increase by 0.6 percent to 8.50 million metric tons (MMT) after stabilizing in 2023 at an estimated 8.45 MMT from previous years of declining production. The forecast is amid an El Niño weather pattern in late 2023, likely to continue into 2024.

Germany is by far the biggest market for food and beverages in the European Union. The food retail sector is saturated, highly consolidated, and competitive.

Although Australia is experiencing rising inflation, supermarket and grocery store incomes are benefitting by largely passing the price increases on to customers. Profit margins in supermarkets and grocery stores rose by 4.2 percent in 2022.

Milk production in Australia in 2023 is forecast to decrease by three percent to 8.2 million metric tons (MMT). This is despite generally very good production conditions for 2023, particularly with record milk prices and easing grain and fertilizer prices.

The food processing is the fourth-largest industry in Germany. According to the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries' (BEV) estimates, total revenue of USD 20.7 billion were generated across all sectors in 2022, which is 17.9 percent higher than the previous year.

Australia has proven to be an appealing and profitable market for U.S. companies for many years. Apart from an extremely strict quarantine regime, it offers few barriers to entry, a familiar legal and corporate framework, and a sophisticated and straightforward business culture.