The dairy industry has a powerful economic impact – $628 billion in total – on the American economy. Did you know that dairy also indirectly supports unique industries across the nation, like candy manufacturing?

Of course, dairy products like milk and cream are an important part of chocolate and other confections, but dairy companies, distributors and retailers support the American confectionery industry in other ways. Nearly 850 jobs at candy, chocolate, gum and mint manufacturers depend on spending by the dairy industry or dairy industry employees.

This not only includes about 390 jobs in factories making products like chocolate chips or coatings that are directly paid for by dairy companies, but also almost 450 jobs for assembly workers, machine operators, administrators and other confectionery employees that result from dairy employees and supplier employees purchasing candy and gum at local stores, at ball games, or in movie theaters.

All told, the dairy industry creates $418.2 million in economic impact for the American confectionery industry and supports jobs in this sector that provide nearly $54.7 million in wages.

Dairy Delivers®

IDFA is taking these deep dives into the data of Dairy Delivers®, its economic impact tool, to demonstrate dairy’s economic power and its ripple effect on other American industries.

Access IDFA’s Dairy Delivers® here.

Members with questions may contact Dave Carlin, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy, at dcarlin@idfa.org.