What else? 166th Edition of Foodcom DAIRY Newsletter

Europe

Another Irish milk processor has lowered the price of the product it sells to consumers

The main reason for this decision is, of course, the decline in demand for milk that is being felt around the world. High inflation, in turn, is responsible for this, as is buyers’ reluctance to make purchases in the current situation.

Farmers and processors are concerned about declining retail dairy prices

The beginning of 2023 is marked by price declines for virtually all dairy products. At the same time, their production costs remain high. Some supermarket chains in Poland and Lithuania have started offering dairy products to their customers at significantly lower prices than just a few weeks ago. Farmers and dairy processors are very concerned about how this might affect them.

The number of dairy farms and cows in Sweden is decreasing, but the amount of milk produced is not so much

The latest figures indicate that the number of dairy farms in Sweden has halved with each passing decade over the past 40 years. During the same period, the number of dairy cows fell by 55%. Annual raw milk production has declined by 21%, which of course is not a small drop, but does not seem particularly large given the decline in the number of dairy farms and the number of cows. The Swedish dairy industry really has a cow with these declines.

The Americas

Uruguay’s milk powder exports surged in the second half of January

Uruguay’s main export destinations for this commodity are Algeria and Brazil, and the large volumes exported to the latter contributed to the overall very good January result. The increase in sales to Brazil is evidence that demand for dairy products remains strong in the international market. Perhaps Uruguay is the land of milk and honey… Should we hold some kind of official plebiscite on this issue?

New Mexico is trying to deal with the problem of feral cows

Authorities have agreed to a plan to use helicopters to kill them, which has met with fierce opposition. The 150 or so feral cows have a negative impact on the environment and also endanger tourists, hence the decision to cull them. At the same time, farmers warn that their own animals may become accidental victims. Moreover, the death brought about in this way can be long and painful.

Do you think nothing more surprises you about the cattle trade?

In the United States, two people were sentenced to prison in connection with a Ponzi scheme involving the trade in cattle. They conducted their illegal activities between 2017 and 2019 and collected about $650 million from their victims. The victims were promised profits of 10%-20% in just a few weeks. The scammers were sentenced to six-year prison terms. They were definitely all hat and no cattle. 

Asia & Oceania

A2 Milk is experiencing profit growth, but there is no shortage of challenges

One of the main issues the company is currently focusing on is the Chinese market. Infant formula sales in China offer strong profit potential, but the post-pandemic reality remains a challenge, as does the lower birth rate in recent years. Similar trends are expected to continue in the coming years.

Milk from several thousand years ago has been discovered

At an archeological site in Namling County in the city of Xigaze in the Tibet Autonomous Region, scientists have discovered the remains of milk from 3 000 years ago that provide a deeper understanding of the diet of the people living there at that time. What’s particularly impressive is that the site where the milk was found is 4 000 meters above sea level. 3 000 years old, you say? That’s almost as much as that one forgotten milk in every refrigerator.

Cyclone Gabrielle hit the dairy sector in New Zealand hard

Dairy farmers in the worst-affected regions of the country were forced to dump their milk because tankers could not reach their farms. Processors are working directly with farmers to reduce milk losses. Other challenges include milking delays and loss of pasture. The New Zealand government is providing $4 million to help farmers, ranchers and rural communities mobilize and coordinate recovery efforts following the devastating effects of the cyclone. The funds will be used to restore access to power and communication lines, conduct aerial surveys of the situation and support local initiatives.