Inside Milk
Dutch milk supply shows trend break
The milk supply from the Netherlands has declined for no less than 18 months in a row. However, a trend break is visible in August.
Read this article?
Become a subscriber and get instant access
Choose the subscription that suits you
Dutch milk processors collected 1,157 million tons of milk last month, with an average daily production of 37.328 tons. Compared to the same month in 2018, there is an increase of 0,8%. If we look at the 5-year average, there is a decline of 0,8%. The average fat percentage was 4,23% in August, compared to 4,17% in 2018.
Introduction of phosphate rights system
In August last year, the milk supply showed a rapid decline. Many (dairy) cows were slaughtered in the months of June and July as a result of the introduction of the phosphate rights system. This quickly led to lower milk production.
The hot and dry summer of 2018 put a brake on production. After the warm month of July, it was relatively cool last August. This explains why the milk supply is again ahead of 2018.