Growth in the production of dairy products in Bulgaria

The EC predicts an increase in the farm milk by 1.4%, but also a decrease in the dairy herd this year

The production of cow's milk in the country this year will reach 1 million tons, and the milk bought by the farmers will remain at the level of the previous year - about 570 thousand tons.
 
Separately, around 21,000 tonnes of dry milk and 6,000 tonnes of condensate will be imported, the CAPA said in its monthly bulletin. Imports of dairy raw materials and finished dairy products will account for about 29% of domestic consumption this year.
 
The production of dairy products in the country registered the most significant growth in the same month of the previous year for cheese - by 31%. The butter is with an increase of 27%, packed fresh milk - 18%, and cream - 18%.
 
Current estimates of cow's milk prices in 2018 are at $ 0.58 / kg, analysts said. According to them, in the coming months prices will continue to fall by 7-8% compared to the beginning of the year.
 
In the following months a slight increase in yogurt prices is expected, some decrease in cheese and especially in butter compared to 2017. Yoghurt can reach 2.20 BGN / kg and the cow brined cheese - 9.50 BGN / kg in the retail trade.
 
Last year, about 12,000 cubic meters of brine cheese and about 3,300 tons of cheese were exported, as well as about 6,000 tons of cheese and sheep's milk cheese. Milk production and purchasing are increasing globally. Since the beginning of this year, the EU has been accounting for about 3.5% more processed milk, and in the US the increase is 1.5%.

Source: CAPA report, April-May 2018