Looking at the numbers

I find the International Farm Comparison Network’s annual overview on milk prices and production costs worldwide make for fascinating reading. Around 95 countries participate in the research, and there is plenty to look at. For example, around 122 million dairy farms keep 362 million milking cows and buffalos globally. The average farmer has three animals and the annual yield is about 2,100kg per animal per year. Costs for milk production range from $4 (€2.94) per 100 kg of milk in Cameroon, up to $128 per 100kg in Japan.

The report also notes that milk and feed prices continue being volatile, and the cost of milk production has increased over the 12 years the report has been issued. Another interesting point is that China’s milk production cost is now around 50 per cent above the level in the US and Germany, because of the appreciation of its currency last year, and a strong increase in salaries there.

The report can be seen in more detail at www.ifcndairy.org