Cow's milk production maintains an upward trend in the EU despite the decline in herds

The number of dairy cows has continued to decrease in recent years in the European Union. Despite this, cow's milk production increased slightly in 2023 and 2024 as the improvement in yield per animal has grown steadily. The data collected by the European Commission in its latest report on short-term prospects for EU agricultural markets point to milk production this year of 154.3 million tons of cow's milk, 0.4% more than in 2023, because the yield per animal will exceed 7,800 kilos, which will more than offset the decrease in numbers by 0.5%. Since 2018, the community herd has been reduced by 1.4 million animals. The increase in milk availability will translate into an increase in the production of some dairy products, mainly cheese and, to a lesser extent, butter and skimmed milk powder. On the contrary, a decrease is expected in the case of whole milk powder and certain fresh products (liquid milk and yogurts). In its report, the European Commission notes that the price of raw ...