WMP production increased by 30.2% in January which equates to 1294t. This is the second year-over-year increase this season and brings the season-to-date (July-January) total -16.2% behind last year.
Cheese production, the largest volume of product produced, also increased for January, up 0.3%, just 96t on last year. The season-to-date total is fairly steady compared to a year earlier down just -0.3% to 200,731t.
Skimmed milk powder production for January was down -13.1%, the first decline of the season and a reduction of 3100t on a year earlier. Season-to-date production volumes are still up 11.9% on a year earlier and totals 189,845t.
Production of butter saw its largest decline this season, dropping -21.2% on last year or 1733t for the month. Production of butter over the season has been variable compared to a year earlier but the season-to-date volumes are sitting -4.5% behind last year at 54,211t.
Whey powder production also saw a drop of -30.3% over January compared to a year earlier. For the season-to-date production volumes are behind by -19.4% to 27,877t.