IDFA continues to demonstrate that 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 trucking? Not many items reach consumers without first going on a truck, and dairy companies, distributors and retailers support the American truckers in a number of ways. 

Not only do dairy firms hire thousands of drivers, mechanics and dispatchers as employees, but nearly 73,500 jobs in outside trucking companies depend on spending by the dairy industry or dairy industry employees. This number includes more than 63,900 trucking jobs that are contracted by dairy manufacturers to move products like milk, ice cream and cheese to wholesalers, retailers and even consumers. These jobs are the result of purchases directly paid for by dairy companies.

Nearly 9,600 additional trucking jobs result from dairy employees and supplier employees purchasing trucking services themselves for things like household moves, the transport of large purchases or simply to haul away junk. 

All told, the dairy industry creates almost $4.39 billion in wages and nearly $12.27 billion in economic impact for American trucking companies.

Dairy Delivers®

IDFA is sharing 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.

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