New Zealand leads global milk collection

“Only New Zealand milk collection increased global volumes in April 2023,” FranceAgriMer reported in its cow’s milk economic report dated July 4, 2023. Even in a period of seasonal decline, milk collection in the Kiwi country was up 6.8% compared to April 2022.

Average growth in the major dairy exporting regions (North America, EU and Oceania) is 0.6% compared to April 2022, putting New Zealand at the top of the podium.

Europe is lagging behind

On the Old Continent, milk production was growing less strongly. FranceAgriMer notes that “collections slowed significantly in April.” In fact, volumes rose just 0.3%, while they were up almost 1% in the first quarter.

In France, collections fell by 2.1% year-on-year in April 2023. Italy and Ireland also saw a decline in volumes. In contrast, milk production in Germany and the Netherlands currently appears insensitive to lower European average milk prices. However, this amount decreased by €28 per 1,000 litres, to settle at €489.70 per 1,000 litres.

FranceAgriMer also depicts a slowdown in global trade, with the exception of New Zealand. “New Zealand fatty powder shipments returned to above their 2022 levels in April and May 2023. This is particularly due to improved Chinese imports of fatty powder, which returned “above their 2022 level, while remaining very low.”

Claire Charasin