Compared to 2019, the value of Dutch dairy exports fell by 3.5% to €7.6bn last year, according to the ZuivelNL association. According to the organisation, this decline is entirely due to the effects of the Corona crisis. Despite a 3 % increase in product volume, the loss in value of dairy products due to Corona had a greater impact. The export value of butter and butter oil, for example, fell by 12%.
The most important sales channel for the Dutch dairy sector is the EU. About 70% of the sales were destined for the European member states and had a value of €5.4bn. Belgium, France and Germany are the largest customers. More than half goes to these countries. Of the remaining €2.2bn export value, 11% went to China.
Milk production in the Netherlands increased to 14.2bn kilos in 2020. This awaits 1.2% more compared to 2019. Of this production increase, more than 30% can be explained by the leap year effect. In total, 14.5bn kilos of milk were processed by the Dutch dairy industry, 2% more than in 2019. Cheese remains the most important dairy product. Of this, 963,000 tons were produced, an increase of 4%.
