Dairy Industry
Milk is a perishable commodity and so has to be consumed soon after manufacturing. The cattle to be raised for milk don’t need large amount of space. Thus dairy farmers stay close to markets. The same goes for poultry products and vegetable farms. As the demand for these is high and shelf life low the producers are located closer to the market. However when markets are located far away from markets the production policy changes. Milk is converted into more concentrated items that have a higher shelf life like butter, cheese, ice cream, etc. This has an added advantage that the price per unit item is higher and can withstand the cost of transportation and remain competitive. Dairy products when produced give skimmed milk as a by-product and so this is used as feed for pigs. Therefore dairy regions are also known for pork and bacon products.
Concentration is higher if the distance from the market increases. 1 pound of Cheese needs 10 pounds of milk and 1 pound of butter needs 20 pounds of milk but milk to ice cream doesn’t have much weight loss.
Dairy Industry: Zones
New Zealand
The climatic zone has led to the formation of long plains of undulating grass which is nutritious and grazing can be done throughout the year. Cattle rearing has been an occupation for generations so NZ has traditional skills. The government policy of strict quality control over exports means that products are respected in the international market. Scientific breeding practices, vaccination of cattle, and infrastructure for storage and transportation of milk are available. Since the domestic demand is low milk is converted to products like cheese, butter, etc, and exported.
European Nations
Countries like Holland, Denmark, and Norway are known for dairy products. Here too the grass is nutritious and traditional skill is present. Quality infrastructure for the storage and transportation of milk is available.
However Mediterranean countries are net importers of milk as the grass is wiry and low nutritive value.
Africa
African nations are lacking in the transport and storage infrastructure. The dairy farmers don’t have training or use scientific practices. Tropical cattle have low milk yield and even if temperate cattle are imported their survival is difficult.
USA
The dairy belt and the corn belt are interdependent. The corn is used as cattle feed and the cattle are used for dairy and beef. Chicago is the location of slaughterhouses. The US dairy industry is highly mechanized to compensate for the labor shortage. Cattle are reared as climate and terrain don’t permit agriculture. Indoor cattle rearing is done. Farmer cooperatives own cooling and transportation infrastructure. The capital needed for investment is available from banks.
Meat Industry
The meat industry is based on cattle, pigs, and sheep. In areas of rough terrain, agriculture is uneconomical so cattle are bred and then sent to slaughterhouses. The USA is known for its beef industry that extends from West to East. The western states have to rear cattle indoors and use corn to fatten them. Cattle are used for beef and dairy products. Slaughterhouses in Chicago then transport them to major cities or export them. But due to high weight loss cattle are now slaughtered in western states and meat is sent to the east.
Pig rearing in China is done closer to market-like cities where demand is high. This is because pork is a staple food. Pigs can be bred indoors or outdoors. They can be fed anything. They multiply faster and can be prepared for slaughterhouses sooner.
However, in New Zealand pigs are reared closer to dairy regions are skimmed milk obtained from converting milk to other products is used for fattening pigs.
Poultry farming in India is done closer to markets as there is high demand for poultry products. It is also done in rural areas away from markets as it is a cheap source of proteins for people.
In the USA too the farmers rear poultry in rough terrain where agriculture is difficult. The soil conditions don’t affect poultry rearing. Also contract farming is carried out by farmers for MNCs.
Horticulture
Fruits and vegetables are perishable items and so grow closer to market areas. Just like dairy and poultry products, there is a good demand for horticulture products too. Therefore farmers prefer locations closer to markets. Farmers located away from the market prefer growing food grains as they have a higher shelf life and can withstand the cost of transportation.
California and Florida both grow oranges but in California, they are sold and in Florida, they are turned into juice. This is because California has a good demand for oranges and Florida is located far from markets so has to concentrate fruits into products that have a higher shelf life and can withstand the cost of transportation.
Factors affecting the location of the horticulture industry apart from markets are transportation and storage infrastructure.
Viticulture
Grapes can be cultivated in areas where cold isn’t present and hence tropical weather is most suitable. The Mediterranean regions have dense populations and generations of experience so skilled labor is available. This is needed as Grapes need personal attention and slight changes in handling, manure, temperature, and pressure make a difference in taste. Also unlike the USA mechanization isn’t possible in Europe as the terrain is rough.
Since Grapes are perishable they are turned into Wine. This makes them more valuable and liquor is in high demand anywhere. The Geographical Indicator tag means the brand name is preserved.
Beer is made from barley which is grown in places that are too cold for grapes. Whiskey is made from rye in countries where grapes can’t grow. Both barley and rye can’t be used for good bread so instead of exporting the raw product as food grains. It is converted to the beverage that higher cost and can withstand transportation.