Inside Milk
Peak milk supply: fewer litres, higher levels
Milk production usually reaches its seasonal peak in May, but this year milk supply to dairy processors is significantly lower.
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Dutch dairy processors collected 1,206 million tons in May, which is approximately 2,47% less than the same month in 2018. Compared to 2016, when milk production rose to a record level, there has even been a decline of 4,45%. In the first 5 months of the year, Dutch milk supply amounted to 5,820 million tons, which is 2,71% less than in the same period in 2018.
Fat production remains at the same level
Fat production over the past month amounted to 52,513 tons. This is only 0,32% less than in 2018. This has to do with the fact that Dutch dairy farmers have supplied milk of higher quality.
To date, the average fat percentage is 4,35%, while in 2018 it was 4,26%. This increase is mainly because many dairy farmers removed less productive cows last year as a result of the introduction of the phosphate rights system.