Milk is a nutrient-rich liquid food produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals (including breastfed human infants) before they are able to digest solid food.[1] Early-lactation milk, which is called colostrum, contains antibodies that strengthen the immune system and thus reduces the risk of many diseases. Milk contains many other nutrients,[2] including protein and lactose. Interspecies consumption of milk is not uncommon – many human beings consume the milk of other mammals.[3][4]
As an agricultural product, dairy milk is collected from farm animals. In 2011, dairy farms produced around 730 million tonnes (800 million short tons) of milk[5] from 260 million dairy cows.[6] India is the world’s largest producer of milk and the leading exporter of skimmed milk powder, but it exports few other milk products.[7][8] Because there is an ever-increasing demand for dairy products within India, it could eventually become a net importer of dairy products.[9] New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands are the largest exporters of milk products.[10] China and Russia were the world’s largest importers of milk and milk products until 2016, when both countries became able to produce enough to meet their inhabitants’ demand. This change contributed to an oversupply of milk in the global market.[11]
