Milk production in the Netherlands falls the most

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency reports a minus of 2,9% in the Dutch market for August milk supply, compared to August 2017. It produces a production of 1.147.765 tons of milk. In combination with a lower fat content (4,17%), the fat yield even shows a decrease of 3,8%.

Biggest drop of 2018
The decline in Dutch milk supply in August is also the largest decline in 2018; Only in March did supply also decrease by 2%. The decline in August was reinforced by a period of tropical temperatures. In the period for this it was also warm, but production managed to keep going due to the lower humidity.

Another factor that may play a role in the decline is the decline in the livestock population. Since the beginning of July, more cows have been slaughtered quite consistently. More animals have also crossed the border. September will tell whether this has indeed had an impact on milk supply.

Less significant decline in Germany and France
Another indication that the phosphate rights system plays a role is the difference between the Netherlands, Germany and France. In Germany the decline in August was limited to 0,5%, while in France it was 0,9%. This is striking, because it is precisely in modern Dutch stables that damage caused by heat has been limited in recent years.

In total, the Netherlands delivered 9,49 million tons of milk up to and including August. It is a minus of 1,6% compared to last year (-149.907 tons). The backlog has therefore increased, although the volume is still significantly above the volume of 2015.The Dutch milk supply shows a decrease of almost 3% in August.