Compared to 2022, when dairy production fell, last year substantially increased production of butter (40.3 %) and drinking milk (40.0 %) was registered. However, the previous year's slump did create a boosting base effect – compared to 2020 butter production has risen by only 6.5 % and drinking milk production has reduced by 9.9 %.
In 2023, compared to 2022, production of acidified milk (yoghurt, kefir, milk curds etc.) rose by 28.0 %, of cheese (incl. cheese used for processed cheese, aged and fresh cheese, acid-set cheese, cottage cheese, curd cheese snacks, and curd paste) by 17.1 % and of cream by 14.0 %. Though again, compared to 2020 cheese production went up by 14.2 % and cream production by 1.5 % while production of acidified milk reduced by 4.6 %.
More raw milk collected, but price down
In 2023, milk procurement and processing companies collected 828.5 thousand tonnes of raw milk, which is 17.6 thousand tonnes or 2.2 % more than in 2022.
The average purchase price for raw milk (356.75 EUR/t) fell sharply last year – by 114.43 EUR/t or 24.3 % compared to 2022. Whereas compared to 2020, it has increased by 75.82 EUR/t or 27 %.
