EU wholesale butter futures have experienced a 49.5% surge since 2024's start, peaking at an all-time high of €8,150 per tonne in September, as reported by Trading Economics. This price hike is attributed to a combination of factors, including a decrease in European milk production due to drought and the bluetongue epidemic, which have diminished cow productivity and led to reduced herd sizes. Furthermore, the price increase is exacerbated by rising electricity and transportation costs across the continent, impacting various stages of butter production. Poland and Germany have seen significant price jumps, with Poland's butter price soaring by 40% and Germany's by 39.7%, contributing to record-high prices for butter in both countries.