Peter Stahl

Q: As chairman of MIV, what issues do you think are top of the list for the organisation and why?

The issues are the same as the ones I took over from my predecessor Dr. Karl-Heinz Engel. MIV is about supporting the German dairy companies wherever necessary. Communication becomes more and more important. We have to get more and more contacts to all the relevant groups: dairy farmers, consumers and  non-governmental organisations.

Q: How has your experience at Hochland prepared you for your current role?

Hochland as well as MIV is internationally oriented. The market is not limited to Germany and neither is MIV, which has offices in Berlin, Brussels and Beijing.

Q: What impact does MIV have on the German dairy industry? What do you consider its top priorities?

MIV represents 95 per cent of the German milk and dairy industry. In our office in Berlin, we have a partnership with other dairy organisations, such as the association of importers and exporters. We are working together with the EDA (European Dairy Association) and Eucolait, the trader’s association.

On a global basis, we are active in the International Dairy Federation and the Global Dairy Platform. Our top priority is cooperation with farmers, namely in the field of sustainability.

Q: How has the German dairy industry changed over the past few years?

International trade became more and more important. Therefore the Russian boycott and the decline of Chinese imports had a severe impact on the profits and losses of some German companies. We expect more and more changes in the structure as the years go on. Farms will become bigger and dairy companies too.

Q: Where do you see the market going in the next few years and how will MIV fit into this outlook?

We follow the development of dairy markets with our own research organisation,  Zentrale Milchmarkt Berichterstattung, or ZMB. Dairy markets in total will grow, as will production. The big question is, which will grow more quickly, demand or production? I expect rising prices at the latest in the third quarter of 2016.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you?

There is hardly a typical day for me. Obviously I spend quite some time in meetings. I have to travel a lot and I still enjoy it.

Q: Outside of work, what are your hobbies/interests?

I am married with four kids and I love to spend time with them. I love all kind of outdoor sports like hiking in summer or cross-country skiing in winter. I live in a marvellous part of Germany close to the Allgäu Alps. I enjoy reading books and I am active in my local church.

 

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