Dairy farms in Thuringia: A decline with dramatic consequences!

Dairy farms in Thuringia: A decline with dramatic consequences!

The number of dairy farms in Thuringia has fallen drastically over the last ten years. Loud South German newspaper In 2023 there were only 280 companies, while in 2013 there were still 500. This decline is accompanied by a decline in the number of dairy cows, which fell by almost 24% to 82,900 animals, from 109,000 in 2013. Despite this consolidation, milk production in Thuringia has fallen less sharply; it fell by around 21% in the last nine years and amounted to 770,000 tonnes in 2022.

A central reason for the decline in farms and cows is a nationwide trend that the Thuringian State Farmers' Association is observing. Many farms decide to give up dairy farming or invest in larger stables and automation measures. A fundamental factor is also the shortage of skilled workers in agriculture. This is complemented by high costs, bureaucracy and low raw milk prices, according to another analysis by Dairy Country Veilsdorf emerges.

Challenges for the dairy industry

The current economic conditions are extremely challenging for many dairy farmers. Increasing legal requirements, falling incomes and feed shortages due to drought are putting additional pressure on the industry. How Dairy Country Veilsdorf reported that almost 470 dairy farms in Thuringia closed at the end of 2022, which corresponds to a decline of almost 10% in just two years.

Family businesses in particular are finding it increasingly difficult to survive economically on the market. “The costs often exceed the revenue, and many farmers are forced to give up,” explains Stefan Ritter, managing director of the Thuringian Milk State Association. This problem is exacerbated by the currently falling raw milk prices and, at the same time, rising costs for diesel, mineral fertilizers and energy.

Organic farms in focus

Despite this difficult situation, the number of organic dairy farms in Thuringia remains consistently low. In 2023, only 20 organic dairy farms were counted in the Free State, while there are 4,890 nationwide. These farms kept a total of 1,800 dairy cows. One reason for this low number is the high separation between conventional and organic production and the limited number of dairies in Thuringia.

Consumer rights are also an issue; A clear and state-mandatory labeling of origin is required. Ritter emphasizes that such a food regulation already applies to fruit and vegetables and that similar labeling is therefore also necessary for dairy products. The calls for EU-wide harmonized agricultural rules are aimed at preventing production relocations abroad and strengthening local agriculture.