News milk
Belgian milk supply is declining sharply
The decline in conventional milk deliveries in Belgium this year is surpassing the decline in organic milk deliveries. This is evident from figures from the Belgian Confederation of the Dairy Industry (BCZ). Both are down by more than 4%.
Read this article?
Become a subscriber and get instant access
Choose the subscription that suits you
This decline occurred despite the relatively good milk prices that were paid. However, there are also a number of dairy farmers who, with the current good prices for both milk and meat, believe that now is a good time to get out, according to a dairy manager.
Last year, conventional milk supply decreased by 0,8% compared to 2023, this year so far conventional milk supply is 4,61% lower than last year in the same period, apparently. The supply of organic milk in Belgium decreased by 4,1% last year compared to 2023, this year so far by 4%. The available figures run up to and including March.
The milk is supplied by an ever-decreasing number of dairy farmers. Last year, there were still 5.640, which is 244 or 4,1% less than in 2023. The largest number of dairy farmers is in Flanders, with 3.358. In Wallonia, there are still 2.282. The average milk supply per farm is increasing sharply. In Flanders, an average of 923.000 litres was supplied last year, in Wallonia 559.000 litres.
Last year, more than half, or 54,7%, of the milk produced across the country came from the 20% largest farms.