EU market
Collection of cow's milk in the EU dropped by 2.3% in March 2015 compared to the same month last year.
The weighted average farmgate milk price decreased in April 2015 by 0.8% to 31.3 c/kg. This is 18% lower than in April 2014 and 6% lower than the average of the last 5 years.
Spot milk markets have had mixed results in recent weeks. Spot milk prices in Italy increased between weeks 22 and 24 by 3% (from 32.5 to 33.5 c/kg) and is still 15% below last year. In the Netherlands, it fell from 26c/kg in week 22 to 22c/kg in week 24. This was a 41% decrease compared to last year's level.
Average EU dairy product prices generally declined last month, with the exception of butter, which slightly increased by 0.7%.
EU exports
Between January-April EU exports improved for skimmed milk powder (SMP), butter(oil), condensed milk and whey powder but declined for whole milk powder (WMP) and cheese.
The EU has increased cheese exports to all destinations other than Russia. EU butter exports have expanded in its main destinations. Algeria is still the main outlet for EU SMP exports and Oman, Algeria and Nigeria are the main export destinations for EU WMP.
