Milk production and consumption seen higher in 2010

Milk production within the European Union is expected to increase this year, despite fewer producing cows, on the strength of a higher average yield per remaining animal, says the US government in a recent report.

Raw milk production is seen increasing in Northern Europe (led by Germany, France and the Netherlands) but waning in Southern Europe, in countries such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria. Liquid milk consumption in the EU-27 this year is also expected to increase in line with economic recovery in various countries, especially the UK.