Revolution in the milk market: Zillertal farmers change masses!

Revolution in the milk market: Zillertal farmers change masses!

There is an exciting turn in the Austrian milk market. Alfred DeHofer, a farmer from Strass in the Zillertal and chairman of the independent farmers' association Tyrol (UBV-Tirol), recently signed a new delivery agreement for milk acceptance with the association of milk producers (VDMP) in the Zillertal. This could have far -reaching consequences for the dairy farmers in the region and the framework conditions on the market shake through. MeinDZUIRDER Bureaucracy was created in other large dairies such as Schärdinger and Tyrol milk.

In the current situation, 18 dairy farmers in the Zillertal and five in the Inn Valley furrow are already evident over the previous structures. "There is something," says DeHofer, who is convinced that even more farmers will join his example by leaving the first contracts on January 1, 2026. His goal is to enable a prompt transition to the association of milk producers, which he has achieved with the support of the fairness office and the federal competition authority.

The background of the market change

But what led to this crucial trend reversal? Alfred DeHofer explains that the animal welfare program and the associated bureaucratic challenges cause many farmers to rethink their previous contracts. According to statistics, around 402,000 tons of milk were processed in Tyrol in 2023, with 60 % of Tyrol milk, 30 % of cheese and dairies and 10 % flowing into direct marketing. The BMLUK shows that around 23,500 dairy farmers are active in Austria, producing 3.98 million tons of raw milk in 2023 1.99 billion euros was.

The association of milk producers, which DeFhofer now delivers its milk, was founded in 2001 and has developed strongly since then. Today the milk delivery group has around 700 active members and supplies Bavaria with around 200 million liters of milk annually. As Nachrichten.at have the opportunity to know the price for their milk in advance, which is what the attractiveness of the community contributes.

The future of milk -producing companies

The emigration of the Zillertal farmers to the association of milk producers could have serious effects on the market. DeHofer predicts that the situation of dairy farmers could soon improve. Above all, the positive negotiations with Bavarian partners and the opportunity to develop solutions adapted directly to the needs of farmers show that a change is in progress.

Another plus: DeFhofer sells its Zillertal farmhouse milk not only in the farm shop at the water fishing farm, but also online. So he quickly realizes that the region is very popular for fresh, regional products. "It's time for a new era in milk production," he summarizes.