According to Eurostat, Jun ’14 EU-28 milk production continued the recent trend of production growth, increasing 4.3% YOY. Production of 12.7 million MT (28.1 billion lbs) set a new record high for June, although production declined 2.0% MOM as milk production begins to seasonally decline until lows are typically reached in November. June EU-28 milk production figures did not include Greece and Slovakia production, which accounts for a combined 1.0% of total EU-28 production. The EU-28 has experienced consecutive YOY monthly production gains throughout the past twelve months. The Jun ’14 YOY production gain of 4.3% was in line with the average 4.3% YOY gain over the period. ’14-’15 YTD EU-28 production is up 5.0% through the first third of the production season. Going forward, EU-28 milk production may be affected by the Russian ban of EU dairy exports announced earlier this month. According to USDA, in 2013 Russia accounted for 33% of EU cheese exports, 25% of EU butter exports, and 27% of EU AMF exports. Total EU exports into Russia in 2013 are estimated to equal 1.5% of EU’s milk production. Some market participants feel the Russian export ban will more severely affect Eastern European countries. Baltic dairy farmers and cooperatives are asking the EU agricultural commissioner to take measures to counter the Russian sanction.