Australian milk supply kicks off year higher

In the month of January, Australian dairy farmers produced 761,7 million tonnes of milk. That is approximately 3,3% more than in the same month last year. Milk production then amounted to 737,6 million tons. The fat content in the milk in the first month of the year is 4,18% and the protein content is 3,36%. Both are therefore slightly lower than in previous years, but higher than a month before. Fat and protein levels are currently highest in Victoria and Tasmania.

The largest increase in milk production is visible in Tasmania. In that region, milk supplies in January were approximately 5,9% higher than a year earlier, at 102 million tons. A significant increase is also visible in New South Wales. Milk production in January amounted to 89,5 million tons, an increase of 4,5% compared to a year earlier. This means that the total supply for this season, which runs from July to June, in these regions is already 2,6% and 1,7% ahead of last year, respectively.

Western Australia is the only area where there is a visible decline in milk production in January. The milk supply amounts to 27,9 million tons, a decrease of 4,3% compared to last year. One of the possible reasons is that the climatic conditions in the region are very difficult. There has been little rainfall in recent years and the drought has made roughage extraction difficult. Milk supply is now 0,8% behind last year. The fat and protein contents here also lag far behind the average, at 3,96% and 3,16% respectively.

Heading towards seasonal lows
Meanwhile, Australian milk production is on its way to a seasonal low. This is usually achieved between February and June. Between December and January, milk production decreased by 10,2%. A further decline is expected next month, although many insiders expect that the dip this year will be less deep than in previous seasons. This is in line with global production figures, which are slightly higher every year.