FOX43 Newsroom - Dairy farmers from across Pennsylvania and the country say they are struggling to make ends meet as milk sales take a dive.
This week, one of America's oldest and largest dairy companies became the second major milk producer to file for bankruptcy in just the last two months. Borden Dairy says it can no longer afford its debt load. The company claims that a drop in overall U.S. milk consumption was a big part of the desition to filed for bankruptcy.
Other dairy professionals also suggest that the influx of non-dairy options, like almond and soy milk, have also added to the issue. However, according to Neilson data, the non-dairy milk industry only took a $1.8 billion chip out of the over $14 billion dollar milk market by the end of 2019. According to the USDA, liquid milk sales in the U.S. have fallen 1.8% from January to October of 2019. Here in the northeast region, that loss is worse, with a 3.4% drop in that same time. That number reflects a trend for the other markets around the country as well.
This issue is now in the spotlight as dairy farmers from across the state gather at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. Farmers, concerned about the future of the dairy industry, are using the event as an opportunity to educate people about the dairy industry. FOX43's Chelsea Koerbler went to the Farm Show to learn more. Click this link to see her story.