News Milk production
Dutch milk supply significantly lower than previous years
The Dutch milk supply in January is considerably lower than in the first month of 2021. As a result, milk production is again well behind the past few years and the five-year average. Despite the relatively high milk prices, Dutch dairy farming is not able to significantly increase production during this period.
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The Dutch milk supply in January amounts to 1.155.627 tons, a decrease of 2,7% compared to January 2021. Because the average fat percentage is slightly lower than last year at 4,53%, fat production is even lower. This amounts to 52.298 tonnes in January, 3,9% lower than in the same month last year. This is evident from the figures published by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on Wednesday morning, February 16.
With these figures, Dutch milk production maintains the trend it has already started in recent months. And that is that the milk supply is structurally significantly lower than in previous years and also the five-year average. Although the milk price is relatively high during this period and may invite more milking, Dutch dairy farming appears to be at the top in terms of production. The high costs for compound feed and the poorer quality of the roughage contribute to this.
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The Netherlands is not an odd one out in terms of milk production, because supply figures in many other member states of the European Union are also below the level of recent years. In New Zealand, dairy farmers are facing similar challenges, partly due to drought in January, resulting in a lower milk supply. Partly as a result, the Global Dairy Trade rose to great heights yesterday (Tuesday, February 15).