Germany’s dairy sector increased exports by almost eight per cent in the first six months of 2010 compared with the first half of the previous year with total cheese shipments topping half a million tonnes (+ 10%). Exports of soft cheeses (11,555 t) were up 17% with more than 100,000 tonnes of German dairy drinks (+ 33.8%) sold abroad.
The sector’s success, with one third of all German cheese production now exported, making the country the EU’s largest exporter of this ware, can be put down to the industry’s solid market networking all over the globe, according to the German dairy industry association (MIV). Milk powder sales reached 155,000 tonnes in the same period including an increase of 11.5% in SMP sales abroad.
Exports of milk products to EU neighbours represented just over two million tonnest with Italy in its usual role as major customer. Russia established itself as top buyer with the EU with sales in that category edging over 200,000 tonnes.