About the IDF World Dairy Summit 2026

New Zealand (Aotearoa) is proud to host the IDF World Dairy Summit 2026 between 15-20 November 2026, one of the premier events on the global dairy calendar and the third World Dairy Summit to be held in the country. Building on the success of the 2001 and 2010 Summits, IDF WDS 2026 will bring together global leaders from across the dairy value chain, including farmers, processors, scientists, nutrition and health experts, policymakers, and industry innovators.

Under the theme Healthy People, Healthy Planet, Healthy Economies, the Summit will highlight the essential role of dairy in nutrition, the sector’s contribution to sustainable food systems, and its importance to economies and communities worldwide.

Healthy People, Healthy Planet, Healthy Economies

The theme Healthy People, Healthy Planet, Healthy Economies highlights the interconnected role of dairy in nutrition, sustainability, and economic development. It will showcase dairy’s essential contribution to healthy diets, the role of dairy farming and milk processing in building more sustainable food systems, and the importance of the global dairy sector to the economic wellbeing of communities and countries worldwide. Against this backdrop, the Summit will examine both the broader global context and the leadership role of the International Dairy Federation (IDF).

The programme will feature world‑class speakers, plenary sessions, technical symposia and specialty fora addressing the most pressing topics shaping the future of dairy, including:

• Advances in dairy science, technology, sustainability and global market trends
• Public health, nutrition and food safety innovations
• Climate‑positive farming practices, on‑farm technologies and data‑driven systems
• The evolution of grazing systems, aligned with the FAO’s 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
• Inclusive perspectives highlighting youth, Indigenous peoples and underrepresented voices
• The role of women in dairy, aligned with the FAO’s 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer

The Summit will also feature technical visits to leading farms, processing facilities and research centres, offering delegates first‑hand insight into New Zealand’s world‑class dairy systems.

View the full programme here.

Who should join?

We are pleased to welcome participants from across the global dairy value chain, including:

• Dairy farmers and processors
• Scientists, researchers and academics
• Policymakers and regulators
• Industry suppliers and service providers
• International organisations and value‑chain partners

Registration

Registration is open, Early-bird rates are available up to 17 July 2026.

Register here.

We look forward to welcoming you to Auckland, as we embark on an inspiring journey of dairy excellence!

The IDF World Dairy Summit 2026 is organised by the New Zealand Organising Committee in collaboration with the International Dairy Federation (IDF).

Key dates