Total EU production for July was 14.8 million tonnes – down 1% on June 2015, but up on the same period last year. EU production increased fairly sharply in the first part of the season and is now looking to be tapering off, which is usual for this time of the year.
Belgium and Ireland have both seen increased levels of milk production over the last month – both country's July milk production is up 11% from their June production. On year-ago levels, Belgium is up by 5%, but Ireland is down 6%. The Netherlands and Luxembourg also had notable increases in their milk production month-on-month. Production in the Netherlands is up just 1% on July 2014 production.
Both Belgium and Ireland have been offering skim milk powder (SMP) into intervention. Belgium has offered a total of 7541t. Ireland has offered a comparatively smaller volume of 1114t, however, this amount has only been offered over the two week period from August 31 to September 13. While month-on-month production has been up, there is limited demand in the market at a price point at which producers are willing to sell.
Source: Eurostat
