German dairy sector thrived in 2001

GERMANY – 2001 was a strong year for the German dairy sector with turnover rising 5.2% to 20 billion euro, according to the German milk industry association Milchindustrieververband’s (MIV) annual report.

The report states that German cheese production reached 1.87 million tonnes in 2001, an increase of 3.7% over 2000. Soft cheese production rocketed 10%, while hard and slicing cheeses both saw increases of between 7 and 8% in production. Cheese consumption in Germany rose to 21.8kg per head in 2001, up 2.8% on 2000.
The association also reports that German cheese exports reached a record high of 530,000 tonnes in 2001.

Yogurt production remained flat, but demand in the domestic German market swelled to 15.4 kg/head, up 0.7% on 2000. consumption of drinking milk was up nearly 1% in 2001 to 63 litres per person.

The MIV report also shows that sales of reduced fat milk and returnable milk containers dropped in 2001. This was despite the fact that demand for functional foods continued to increase, and there was no reduction in consumer concern for the environment.

One reason for the decline in sales of milk in returnable glass milk bottles in Germany is the growth in the use of 1.5 litre cartons.

In total, semi skimmed and skimmed milk sales fell 2.1% in 2001, while full fat milk sales increased 1.2% on 2000 to 3.23 million tonnes. UHT milk kept its German market share of around 60% in this sector.

Germany’s increase in cheese production in 2001 meant that the country produced an extra 235,000 tonnes of whey powder, up 3.2% on 2000 and a massive 20% on 1999.

According to MIV chairman Manfred Tag, the wide range of functional foods based on whey made up for this increase.

Skimmed milk powder (SMP) production fell 6% in 2001 to 300,000 tonnes. This was 25% down on five years ago. Some of this fall can be attributed to BSE, with SMP exports cut by 60% because of this. EU enforced reductions in the SMP’s application in calf and piglet feed have made the situation worse.

Germany saw condensed milk production rise in 2001 to 590,000 tonnes. This was up 4.1% on 2000.