Combined milk production within the major dairy exporting regions of New Zealand, the EU-28, the U.S., Australia and Argentina finished 1.4% higher on a YOY basis during Dec ’20, remaining at a record high seasonal level for the seventh consecutive month. The aforementioned regions combined to account for over 90% of global butter, cheese, whole milk powder and nonfat dry milk export volumes throughout 2019.

Combined milk production growth rates experienced throughout the major dairy exporting regions decelerated over much of 2018 but remained positive until Nov ’18, when production volumes declined on a YOY basis for the first time in the past 22 months. Combined milk production volumes finished largely flat or lower on a YOY basis over eight consecutive months through Jul ’19, prior to finishing higher throughout each of the past 18 months through Dec ’20.

Dec ’20 YOY increases in milk production on a percentage basis were led by Argentina (+6.9%), followed by the U.S. (+3.1%), New Zealand (+0.7%) and the EU-27+UK (+0.5%). Production finished lower on a YOY basis throughout Australia (-2.0%). The EU-27+UK produces significantly more milk than the other dairy exporting regions, accounting for just under half of the combined production within the five exporting regions throughout Dec ’20.

Excluding the U.S., milk production within the major dairy exporting regions increased by 0.7% on a YOY basis throughout the month of December, finishing below the growth rate exhibited within the U.S. for the fifth consecutive month.