Dairy Wholesaling in the US - Industry Market Research Report

Lactose intolerant: Falling demand and stagnating prices will push retailers to buy directly from producers

Dairy wholesalers have enjoyed stable revenue growth over most of the five years to 2023 as rising prices were accepted by a market with rising dairy consumption and disposable income. Still, because the industry's performance is heavily dependent on commodity prices and retailer practices, the growing trend of vertical integration between manufacturers and retailers has heightened competition between wholesalers and made it more difficult to enter the industry. Automation tech has lifted profit for wholesalers and opened new bases of competition, though, and strong demand has allowed revenue to rise an annualized 2.6% to $117.4 billion over the five years to 2023, despite a decline of 0.5% in 2023 alone.

This industry wholesales dairy products that aren't dried or canned, including butter, cheese, cream, ice cream, milk and yogurt. This industry doesn't include manufacturers’ sales branches and offices (MSBOs), where the wholesaling and production of dairy products occur as one undifferentiated operation. Revenue from MSBOs is included in the Dairy Product Production industry (report 31151).

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry's key players and their market shares.