mejeriindustrins

The mejeriindustrin is the sector involved in the production, processing, distribution, and sale of milk and dairy products. It includes dairy farming that produces raw milk, dairy processing plants that pasteurize, homogenize, ferment and package products, and the logistics networks that move products to retailers and food-service channels. Common products include milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, cream, ice cream, and ingredients such as whey proteins and casein.

Historically, dairy production transitioned from household-based activities to large-scale industrial operations in the 19th and 20th centuries, aided by milk refrigeration, standardized testing, and cooperative business models. In many regions, cooperatives play a central role in collecting milk from farmers and distributing processing capacity. The sector features multinational dairy companies as well as national players; Arla Foods, a major cooperative in the Nordic region, is a prominent example in Europe.

Global patterns show large producers in the United States, the European Union, and parts of Asia and India. In Europe, the Common Agricultural Policy and national regulations shape production, processing, and pricing; within Sweden, cooperatives such as Arla help shape the mejeriindustrin. Innovation has driven improvements in pasteurization, homogenization, fermentation, and packaging, and the cold chain remains essential to quality and safety.

Regulation emphasizes food safety, labeling, and environmental protection. The industry faces challenges such as fluctuating milk prices, sustainability concerns (energy use, methane emissions from ruminant digestion, manure management), animal welfare considerations, and competition from dairy alternatives made from plant-based ingredients. Economic trends and consumer demand influence product mix and export opportunities.