How do dairy farms transport milk from farms to processing plants?

Milk is transported from farms to processing plants using methods that vary by region, though the primary goal is to maintain the product's safety and quality during transit.1

In major milk-producing countries, milk is collected from farm storage tanks or cans every 24 to 48 hours. It is then pumped into specialized, heavily insulated stainless steel tankers or trucks. These tankers are designed to keep the milk cold throughout the journey to the processing facility. Before collection, drivers—who are qualified as accredited milk graders—evaluate the milk based on its sight, smell, and temperature, and they collect a representative sample from each farm pickup.21

In some regions, such as parts of India, milk may be carried to local receiving stations in jars before being transported to a plant by truck in large cans. Additionally, the use of pipelines for direct delivery from farm to factory has been introduced on a small scale in certain European countries. Upon arrival at the processing plant, the milk is tested again for quality and safety before being pumped into refrigerated storage silos.123