European Dairy Market Summary

MADISON - Jul 31/14 - SNS -- Dairy market conditions in western and eastern Europe were reviewed in the latest report on the sector released by the USDA today.

WESTERN AND EASTERN EUROPE
WESTERN OVERVIEW:
Western European milk production has shown only marginal declines over the
previous two weeks.  Weather conditions are good, timely rains have prompted
good forage growth on pastures, and margins remain positive for dairy
producers.  Dairy markets are in general experiencing decreased demand as
numerous buyers covered their near term needs ahead of the European holiday.
It is anticipated that market activity will remain light for the next 4-6
weeks, due to the holiday.  A majority of the manufacturing milk volumes are
being channeled to skim milk powder and butter production.  There is a lack
of actual storage data, but it is generally acknowledged that stocks are
building for both commodities.  Eurostat reported EU-28 May milk deliveries
at 4.4% higher than May 2013.  Various member states showed the following May
increases, compared to last year; Germany, 0.9%; France, 5.7%; UK, 8.0%;
Belgium, 18.7%; Italy, 3.7%; and Ireland, 7.0%.  January-May 2014 milk
deliveries were 5.3% higher than last year.  January-May milk delivery data
showed increases for all countries with the exception of Spain -0.5%, and
Greece -5.9%.
EASTERN OVERVIEW:
Eastern European milk production continues to be strong with weather
conditions favorable for dairy operations.  Manufacturing schedules remain
active for butter, skim milk powder, and whey.  Some manufacturers are
offering loads of various commodities at discounts in order to clear excess
available supplies.  Eastern European milk deliveries for January-May,
reported by Eurostat, showed the following year over year changes for
selected countries; Poland,+7.4%; Lithuania, +8.3%; Latvia, +12.8%; Estonia,
+8.9%; and the Czech Republic, -1.2%.
0930c rick.whipp@ams.usda.gov 608.278.4151
USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin
Dairy Market News website: www.ams.usda.gov/dairymarketnews
Dairy Market News database portal: www.marketnews.usda.gov/portal/da

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STAT News Service