USDA: Global milk production increases by 1.5% in 2020 - China is the world's largest importer According to estimates by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cow's milk production in major countries will increase by 1.5% in 2020. The EU with 156 million tons belongs to the really big milk producers, the USA with approx. 100 million tons and India (without buffalo milk) with 94 million tons . Other important producers for the international market are New Zealand as the leading export area with 22 million tons , Russia and China as important import areas with 30 million tons each . On the South American continent, Brazil with 2 5 million tonnes and Argentina with 11 million tonnes can be emphasized. In Central America, Mexico stands out as an importing country with 12 million tons. An increase between 0.2 and 3.1% compared to the previous year can be observed in almost all producing countries.The increase in milk production in intensive locations takes place less on the number of cows than on the performance per animal. The USA stands out with a herd average of 10,750 kg per cow. In the extensive production areas with milk yields of less than 2,000 kg per cow, the number of cows determines the milk supply in the first line. These include India and Brazil with an average milk yield of around 1,600 kg per animal. In the midfield from 4,500 to 5,500 kg / cow you will find New Zealand with its year-round pasture keeping. The global average is approx. 35% fresh milk consumed. But the range extends from 86% in India to South America with approx. 50% to just under 3% in New Zealand. In the EU, a good 22% fresh milk consumption is calculated from total production. The proportion of fresh milk tends to decrease very slowly. In contrast, cheese production and consumption show a sharp increase of +1.6% on average over the past 5 years to the current 21.6 million t .Rising incomes are usually the driving factor. The EU is the world's largest producer and consumer with a market share of 46%. This is followed by the USA with a 28% share of production. Japan stands out as a significant cheese consumer, which has to meet its needs through imports of 86%. Russia is also one of the cheese lovers with an import requirement of 25% of its consumption. Butter production in the major production areas grows by 2% annually to 11.1 million tons . In this case, India is the world's largest producer and consumer with an increasing share of 55%. It is mainly the pure butter to avoid rancidity under the high temperatures. The EU , as the second largest area with normal butter, only achieves 20% of total production. The USA comes to 8% with an upward trend.Skimmed milk powder is increasingly being produced at a current level of just under 5 million t. The EU is the largest producer with an increasing 1.8 million t. The USA has the second largest volume of 1.15 million tons. There is a surplus of approx. two thirds of the production volume resulting in fierce competition in the international sales markets. With the increasing production of whole milk powder r, New Zealand and China are each with approx. 30% share of the regions dominating the world market. The decisive reason is the production locations far from the market where the durable and affordable product is manufactured. The EU has only a small market share of 15% and the USA with 1.5%. even less.New Zealand (NZ) leads the international dairy trade , exporting 95% of its milk production. More than two thirds of NZ exports are made from milk powder , most of which finds its way to China. The EU is the second largest exporter on the world market. The EU focuses on skimmed milk powder and cheese. The main sales areas are the North African Mediterranean countries and countries in the Middle East. The third in the group of the large exporting countries are the USA with a focus on the MMP and cheese export. China is the world's largest importer of milk products, with high proportions of milk powder and growing quantities of butter and cheese . Russia, Japan and Mexico are other important importing countries.The international trade in milk products is significantly influenced on the export side by New Zealand, the EU and the USA . China is a top priority on the import side.
