Based on data for 15 member countries which jointly account for 62% of EU-27 raw milk supplies on average, output fell 0.7% YOY in November. Among major producing countries, supply in Germany and Netherlands was down 2.9% YOY and 4.1% YOY respectively. Production in Belgium also declined – down 4.2% YOY. The overall decline reflects pressure on farm margins as input costs have surged in recent months, but also the decline in the dairy herd, particularly in some regions such as eastern Germany.

According to the most recent data, French milk production fell 2.9% YOY in week 50 (ending 18 December 2021), the 18^th consecutive weekly contraction. German supply fell 2.4% YOY in week 50, the 30^th consecutive weekly decline. AHDB reports UK production declined 2.6% YOY in December after falling 2.1% in November.