The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., launched an updated version of its economic impact tool, Dairy Delivers, which measures the combined impact of the dairy products industry at the national, state and Congressional district levels across the United States.

Updated for the first time since 2017, Dairy Delivers offers an analysis of how the production and marketing of all dairy products—milk, ice cream, cheese, butter, yogurt and cultured products, and ingredients like protein powders and whey—positively affect the U.S. economy.

Overall, the dairy industry supports the U.S. economy in the following ways:

  • Contributes 1% to national GDP.
  • Adds $620 billion in total economic impact.
  • Supports more than 3 million total jobs.
  • Provides a $64.5 billion contribution to federal, state and local taxes (not including sales taxes paid by consumers).
  • Generates $38 billion in direct wages for workers in dairy industry.

“Not only do dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages, but they also drive growth, support jobs and contribute to a healthy economy. As the voice of the dairy industry, IDFA is proud to introduce Dairy Delivers 2.0, the most comprehensive picture of dairy’s impact on the U.S. economy,” says Michael Dykes, president and CEO. “There is new economic data detailing how the five major segments of dairy—milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and ingredients—make a difference across country. From dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, IDFA’s members are dedicated to making safe, delicious products that nourish and sustain people while delivering for our economy.”

The different dairy segments contribute to the U.S. economy in the following ways:

  • Milk. Adds $51.4 billion in direct economic impact and supports 64,400 dairy industry jobs.
  • Ice cream. Adds $11 billion in direct economic impact and supports 26,100 dairy industry jobs.
  • Cheese. Adds $50.9 billion in direct economic impact and supports 52,200 dairy industry jobs.
  • Yogurt and cultured products. Adds $5.5 billion in direct economic impact and supports 6,900 dairy industry jobs.
  • Dairy ingredients. Adds $14.1 billion in direct economic impact and supports 9,300 dairy industry jobs.