Global Economy
A steadier dairy outlook is starting to take shape for 2026, with stronger signals building into the second half of the year.
New Farm Journal research explores six keys highlighting consolidation risk, regional divides and expansion sweet spots in a shifting landscape that prioritizes integrity and a tech mindset.
While inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, the outgoing president and CEO favors a pause on interest-rate reductions while noting AI’s potential to shift labor needs
With India being the largest milk producer globally, this advancement is not just about scale but the social transformation it fosters among women in rural communities across the nation.
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The 2025 IDF World Dairy Summit underscored that while the industry faces numerous challenges, it is also on the brink of exciting advancements. By embracing technology and prioritizing sustainability, the dairy industry is poised to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future.
Jane Muir, People Team Leader from New Zealand Dairy highlighted at the 2025 IDF World Dairy Summit in Santiago, Chile: “New Zealand dairy survives and thrives because of our efforts and immigration.”
The global dairy industry’s resilience, adaptability and strategic foresight suggest a promising path forward for the U.S. dairy industry.
A new 2025 report from the International Dairy Foods Association shows the U.S. dairy industry supports over 3 million jobs and generates nearly $780 billion in economic impact, highlighting dairy’s powerful role in communities nationwide.
The March Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor asked economists if they think the U.S. general economy will see a recession in 2025. 62% said yes.
President Trump’s new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China have gone into effect. While the economic consequences are unknown, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has promised to have a plan ready for farmers, if needed.
China retaliated swiftly on Tuesday with 10% to 15% retaliatory levies impacting $21 billion worth of U.S. agricultural and food products, moving the world’s top two economies a step closer toward an all-out trade war.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins kicked off the 2025 Top Producer Summit on Tuesday morning, detailing her plan to advocate for trade. ‘We want to find market access for all our products,’ Rollins said.
The first trading day of 2025 saw the U.S. dollar hit a two-year high, but the strength of the dollar in 2024 also had a major impact on commodity markets.
From a possible trade war to brewing discontent within the country, there are five significant trends poised to shape China in the coming year.
As federal policy decisions tend to heavily impact rural industries, the outcome of the 2024 election promises to significantly shape the rural economy in the year ahead. CoBank’s annual report outlines what to expect.
As global populations continue to rise, with projections estimating a staggering 10 billion people by 2050, farmers worldwide are faced with an immense challenge: ensuring food security for all. This pivotal issue was the focus of discussions at the International Dairy Federation (IDF) World Dairy Summit in Paris, France, where industry experts gathered to share insights and explore solutions.
USDA forecasts agricultural exports at $173.5 billion and imports at a record $204 billion for a projected record trade deficit of $30.5 billion.
The effects are already visible, with declining French barley exports to China and the U.S. struggling to sell corn for the new season.
Agricultural imports are expected to reach a record $212 billion, up $8 billion from FY 2024. This increase is largely due to rising imports of horticultural products, sugar and tropical products.
“When Ukraine fails, in terms of their ability to produce agricultural products, the world becomes less safe,” says Howard Buffett, global philanthropist and Illinois farmer.
The giant yogurt maker foresees “negative” business conditions in Europe being more than offset by emerging markets.
Ireland says the United States will permit imports of beef from the country — the first European Union state allowed to resume sales since the mad cow disease scare over 15 years ago.
The discovery of mad cow disease in the US this week could be a boon for Australia’s beef export industry but it is too early to make predictions, industry leaders say.
A BIGGER than expected drop in the US herd may offer a small reprieve for Australian beefexporters facing falls in Japan and Korea, analysis suggests.The US industry is still reeling after a USDA report counted beefcattle numbers at their lowest in 60 years.In its twice-yearly cattle report, the USDA pegged cattle and calves in the US as of January 1 at 90.8 million head, 2.1 per cent below the 92.7m a year ago and the lowest January 1 inventory of all cattle and calves since the 88.1m on hand in 1952.
Last month Chinese officials announced they were lowing import tariffs on certain types of cheese.
While we would like to see all major markets consuming and importing more dairy, the health of the global dairy market relies on a strong China—which is why this year’s purchase patterns have been such a welcome development.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he will continue to defend the supply management system that protects the Canadian dairy industry in talks about revamping the North American Free Trade Agreement.