THE POWER OF MILK: ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND NUTRITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

contribuições econômicas, sociais e alimentares

Abstract

Milk production is widely considered an indispensable element of Brazil's agribusiness. It is a sector responsible for driving a large portion of the economy and plays a fundamental social role by ensuring a basic and nutritious food supply for millions of people. Dairy farming goes far beyond simply producing food, supporting many families, generating jobs, and contributing to the Gross Domestic Product. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the importance of milk in human nutrition and its contribution to economic development, considering market fluctuations and its share of GDP. The method used here was a qualitative and descriptive bibliographical study. The figures show that prices paid to producers had ups and downs between 2021 and 2025: rising in 2022, plummeting in 2023, and then recovering. This fact explains the sector's sensitivity to market instability, production costs, and changes in supply and demand. Another interesting point studied here was the increased consumption of more elaborate dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and functional beverages. Thus, it can be concluded that the dairy chain is essential and indispensable for food security and the strengthening of agribusiness, even though it is a sector that lacks technological innovation, efficient public policies, and constant investment to maintain competitiveness.