New Zealand to host the 2026 IDF World Dairy Summit

New Zealand (Aotearoa) is set to welcome the global dairy community as host of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) World Dairy Summit (WDS) 2026. The event is designed to bring together dairy farmers, processors, scientists, academia, policymakers and industry leaders from around the world to share success stories, tackle challenges and chart the future of dairy in a rapidly changing world.

Shining a spotlight on New Zealand’s sustainable dairy production, the 2026 summit’s overarching theme will be ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People, Healthy Economies’ to reflect the sector’s commitment to balancing environmental stewardship, nutritional security and economic resilience.

The program for the third WDS to be held in New Zealand promises a mix of plenary sessions, expert panels and interactive workshops, including discussions on:

• delivering greenhouse gas commitments for 2030 and nature-based solutions;
• a future focus on food choice drivers, adaptations for farming and how dairy can enable success for all;
• the role of dairy in nutrition, public health and food security, with a focus on leveraging all of dairy’s potential across life stages;
• on-farm technology and innovation, including flexible milking and big data applications; and
• the economics of dairy nutrition, global market outlooks and the evolution of business models within the dairy supply chain.

There will also be technical visits to New Zealand’s dairy farms and processing facilities to provide delegates with firsthand insights.

The IDF World Dairy Summit 2026 will be held from 15–20 November at the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland.

For more information, visit www.idfwds2026.com.

Image credit: iStock.com/Mizina