The 16th meeting of the Milk Market Observatory Economic Board took place on 28 June 2016, with the participation of experts from the various steps in the milk supply chain.

The participants were CEJA (young farmers), COPA-COGECA (producers and cooperatives), ECVC (Via Campesina), EDA (dairy industry), Eucolait (dairy trade) and Eurocommerce (retail). EMB (European Milk Board) was not present. Some of the conclusions of the meeting showed the following.

• EU milk collection was up by 5.6% in the first four months of 2016.
• Milk deliveries were 1.6% higher in April 2016 (= + 220 000 t), NL, IT, DE and PL having reported the biggest growth in volume terms. These figures relate to milk collection, i.e. milk collected by dairies and reported by the latter to their national authorities, irrespective of whether milk comes from producers located in the same MS or in another one.
• Average farm gate milk prices approximated 27.3 c/kg in April, meaning a 19% decrease compared to a 5-year average. A further decrease is expected for May (26.6 c/kg).
• Experts do not expect an improvement in milk prices before September 2016.

More information can be found on the Milk Market Observatory web site.

INFAGRO