Business Dairy
European butter export takes a big step up
In the first half of 2020, European dairy exports increased compared to last year. The export of butter in particular has managed to achieve considerable growth, according to figures from the European Commission.
European butter exports in the first 6 months of 2020 will amount to 141.000 tons, an increase of 36% compared to last year. The export of whole milk powder is also higher than last year: with an increase of 11%, exports amount to 169.000 tons. On the other hand, less skimmed milk powder was exported: -15% to 432.000 tons. Cheese exports, at 651.000 tons, are at a comparable level to last year.
Destinations
Most European butter this year, as last year, went to the United Kingdom. The United States and Saudi Arabia are also major markets for European butter. In addition, the largest amount of cheese also goes to the United Kingdom: of the 651.000 tons, no less than 204.000 tons went to England. Furthermore, Japan and the United States are major buyers of European cheese.
Most of the whole milk powder has found a destination in the Middle East in the first half of 2020, because about 25.000 tons go to Oman. In addition, Algeria and Nigeria both import almost 13.500 tons, placing them in second and third place as the important sales markets. The majority of skimmed milk powder goes to Algeria, about 75.500 tons. China is in second place with an import of almost 56.000 tons and Egypt is in third place with almost 26.000.
Chinese imports
The world's largest dairy importer, China, has again imported significant amounts of dairy in the first half of 2020. In contrast to various dairy products, only the import of skimmed milk powder (compared to last year) has decreased: -12% to 157.000 tons. The European share shows a decrease: from 31% last year to 29% this year.
Incidentally, Europe has managed to increase its market share in cheese exports to China. China imported 62.000 tons of cheese in the first half of the year, an increase of 5% compared to last year. The European share in this has grown from 14% to 17%.
Chanti Oussoren
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