Questions over the source of Maleny Dairies milk have prompted the company to clarify how much of its supply comes from Queensland farmers.
In a statement posted on social media on Monday, Maleny Dairies said between 90 and 100 per cent of the milk required for production is sourced from its network of 11 Queensland dairy farming families, with interstate milk brought in when needed to maintain supply.
The clarification comes as Mary Valley dairy farmer Jason Rozynski searches for a new processor after being told in June that his milk supply contract with Maleny Dairies would not be renewed.
Mr Rozynski operates two farms near Imbil with about 600 Brown Swiss cows and produces around 3.3 million litres of milk each year. His family recently marked 80 years of dairying.
With no new processor secured, Mr Rozynski said he had just weeks to find a buyer for his milk.
“Four weeks to go. Still no contract. Still no conversations. Still no rumblings. Nothing,” he said in a video posted to Facebook on Monday.
The situation has also prompted questions from customers about Maleny Dairies’ commitment to local milk production.
Alex Slack wrote on Facebook: “Love your milk and I don’t mind paying a premium for it if it is Queensland milk. No point of difference if it just comes from Victoria like a lot of other brands. Can you clear this question up? For now, and in the future?”
Another customer, Melissa McDonald, asked: “So the Maleny milk is bottled in Vic and brought up to QLD for us to think we are supporting our local Queensland farmers. Is that correct?”
Melissa Tozer wrote: “I also think Queensland consumers deserve transparency about where the milk in Maleny Dairies products comes from and how the company is supporting the farmers who produce it.”
Maleny Dairies owners Ross and Sally Hopper said they remained committed to maintaining strong relationships with the local dairy farming community and supporting local milk production into the future.
“Local dairy farmers have always been and will remain at the heart of Maleny Dairies and the products our customers know, love and support,” they said in the statement.
The company said it had also sourced milk through established milk traders for about 12 years to manage seasonal fluctuations in production and availability.
“These milk traders source milk to our specifications, locally, where available, and from interstate, including Victoria when required to ensure consistency of supply and production.”
The company also addressed Mr Rozynski’s contract, saying its decision not to renew the agreement was made after careful consideration of a range of business and commercial factors.
“It was entirely unrelated to the milk sourced through milk traders to manage seasonal fluctuations,” they said.
Maleny Dairies said it would not publicly disclose the details of its commercial arrangements with Mr Rozynski but said it had complied with the Dairy Code of Conduct.
“We are genuinely grateful for the relationship we have shared with the Rozynski family over many years and acknowledge the important contribution they have made to Maleny Dairies,” they said.
“We sincerely wish the family every success in the future and in securing an alternative milk supply arrangement.”
The family was featured at the launch of Queensland’s 2026–2032 Dairy Plan in February, which brought together the state government, farmers and major processors with a target of increasing the state’s milk production by five per cent.
Mr Rozynski has criticised the dairy industry’s current direction and questioned whether the plan would deliver meaningful growth for Queensland farmers.
“No point having a dairy plan in Queensland signed up to with processors and government and eastAUSmilk if no bugger honours it,” he said in a video shared to Facebook.
“Because that’s where we’re at at the moment. It’s a useless piece of paper.”
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Mr Rozynski also questioned the amount of milk brought into Queensland from interstate.
“We cart half our milk up from down south. When are we going to stop this?” he said.
For the Rozynski family, the immediate concern remains finding another processor before its existing supply arrangement ends.
“How about we say that’s enough? When are we going to support Queensland dairy farmers? When are we actually going to mean it? Because at the moment, it’s all bulls**t,” Mr Rozynski said.
Sunshine Coast News has contacted Mr Rozynski for further comments.
