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 warehousing and storage?

Dairy companies, distributors and retailers support American warehousing firms in a number of ways. Not only do dairy firms operate their own warehouse and distribution facilities, but more than 22,630 jobs in outside warehouse and storage facilities depend on spending by the dairy industry or dairy industry employees.

This number includes more than 17,825 warehousing jobs, often in specialized cold storage facilities, that are contracted by dairy manufacturers to store products like milk, ice cream and cheese. These jobs are the result of purchases directly paid for by dairy companies.

An additional 4,800-plus jobs in warehouse and storage facilities result from dairy employees and supplier employees purchasing these services for a variety of reasons, from storing boats or recreational vehicles to storing those old photos or books that they just can’t seem to let go.

All told, the dairy industry creates more than $1.10 billion in wages and nearly $2.52 billion in economic impact for American warehousing and storage 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.