A study found that Canada’s dairy industry discarded up to 10 billion litres of milk since 2012, with retail losses of $6.7 billion and environmental consequences. Dairy Farmers of Canada defended the practice as a last resort, but researchers recommend aligning quotas with market trends to reduce waste.
Canada’s dairy industry has been discarding billions of litres of milk, according to a study published in the journal Ecological Economics. The research estimates that between 6.8 billion and 10 billion litres of milk have been wasted since 2012. Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), a national advocacy group representing dairy producers, defended the practice, calling it a last-resort measure when supply chain issues arise.
The study found that the discarded milk could have fed 4.2 million people annually, equivalent to about 11 percent of Canada’s population. Retail losses are valued at $6.7 billion, with the environmental impact of milk production generating approximately 8.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gases—comparable to emissions from 350,000 gas-powered cars driven for a year.
The report highlights that surplus milk is often the result of shifts in consumer habits, with more Canadians opting for plant-based alternatives. It also points out that dairy quotas under Canada’s supply management system have not kept pace with these changes. Although the system aims to match production with market demand, it has occasionally led to overproduction.
Jacques Lefebvre, CEO of DFC, responded by saying that many of the study’s findings rely on estimates, and independent validation is needed. He emphasized that milk disposal follows regulatory guidelines and is borne entirely by farmers.
The study acknowledges that milk is discarded for multiple reasons, including low market demand, limited processing capacity, antibiotic contamination, and infrastructure issues. While Canada’s milk wastage has declined in recent years due to improved farm practices and better supply chain coordination, the report found it remains higher than that of the United States and many European countries.
Researchers recommend revising the Canadian Dairy Commission Act to phase out the legal disposal of milk that meets safety standards. They also suggest aligning dairy quotas with consumer preferences, increasing transparency in milk production, and introducing penalties for overproduction.
The findings reflect ongoing challenges faced by the Canadian dairy industry as it navigates evolving market demands and environmental concerns. While the report acknowledges that overproduction is not unique to Canada, it underscores the importance of adopting more sustainable farming practices.
