WASHINGTON — Highlighting the financial influence of the United States dairy industry, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) shared in its latest Dairy Delivers report that the industry supports 3 million-plus US jobs, $198 billion in wages for American workers and makes an economic impact totaling close to $780 billion.

Working with economic research firm John Dunham & Associates, based in Brooklyn, New York, IDFA shared the 2025 report also found the US dairy industry accounted for $8.2 billion in total annual exports.

The 2025 analysis, released as part of National Dairy Month this June, showed that “dairy runs deep in every community,” IDFA president and chief executive officer Michael Dykes said.

“From family-owned dairy farms to processors, retailers and community businesses, dairy supports livelihoods, sustains local economies and delivers real value to the people who depend on it,” Dykes said. “These numbers reflect more than economics — they reflect the reach and relevance of dairy in the daily lives of Americans.”

Precisely, IDFA revealed that 3.05 million total US jobs are supported by the dairy industry, with $197.6 billion in wages and an economic impact of $779.45 billion. The report also found that the US dairy industry generates $83 billion in combined federal, state and local taxes.

IDFA updates its Dairy Delivers data every two years. The trade association said it will call attention to the industry’s economic and community impact throughout National Dairy Month. 

More details from the latest report are available online at IDFA’s website, which features an interactive data visualization platform.