The lowest point in the Dutch milk supply is higher than in previous years. This also says something about the trend towards 2018, but there are more developments underway.
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) announces in November that the milk supply has amounted to 1,13 million tons of milk. That is an increase of 1,9% compared to last year.
Contents are disappointing
What is particularly disappointing is the fat content in the milk. Based on reports from the field, this appears to be higher than in previous years, but the figures say the opposite. The average fat content is 4,47%, compared to 4,55% last year. It produces a fat production of 50.619 tons, almost the same as last year.
An explanation for the lower fat content is probably that FrieslandCampina supports the supply of lower fat contents with its milk price system. Because the majority of dairy farmers supply FrieslandCampina, the majority's aim is to produce more milk, but not to focus on content.
Backlog is decreasing
The positive increase in November further reduces the gap compared to last year. Dutch dairy farmers delivered a total of 13,08 million tons of milk up to and including November. This reduces the deficit to a minus of 0,3%. In line with the increasing positives, December can ensure that milk production is as high as last year.
Meanwhile, cow slaughter rates are increasing. It seems to be a consequence of the lost lawsuit. However, so far it has not resulted in many fewer liters of milk.The low point in milk supply is above previous years.