June 5, 2024

Raw milk output of EU farms at 160.0 million tonnes in 2022

EU farms produced an estimated 160.0 million tonnes of raw milk in 2022, Eurostat said in an article marking World Milk Day, which is celebrated every year on June 1.

Most of the raw milk production in the European Union is delivered to dairies. Only 9.8 million tonnes were used on farms, being consumed by the farmer's family, sold directly to consumers, used as feed, or processed directly.

Of the 149.9 million tonnes of milk delivered to dairies, 145.6 million tonnes were cows' milk, with the rest being milk from other livestock, including ewes (sheep), goats and buffaloes.

Among the fresh products obtained, dairies in the EU produced 22.5 million tonnes of drinking milk and 7.7 million tonnes of acidified milk products.

Concerning manufactured products, dairies produced 2.3 million tonnes of butter from 46.4 million tonnes of whole milk; 10.4 million tonnes of cheese from 59.2 million tonnes of whole milk and 16.9 million tonnes of skimmed milk; 3.0 million tonnes of milk powder; and 55.9 million tonnes of whey.

- Eurostat