(Brussels, 24th June 2014) In 2013, average milk production costs in the Netherlands amounted to 44,52 cent/kg. These are the results of a study ordered by the Dutch EMB member organisation DUTCH DAIRYMEN BOARD (DDB) from the German office BAL (Büro für Agrarsoziologie und Landwirtschaft). This study is based, among others, on the data of the European Commission’s Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). Furthermore, by means of a market-oriented income rate, the cost calculation includes a fair income for dairy farmers.
As the DDB declared at its press conference, the presentation of this study is yet another important step that helps to give a clear picture of the situation on the milk market and to call decision-makers to take their responsibilities. “Now we also have clear data on production costs for milk in the Netherlands. The results clearly show that given the average milk price of 37,40 cent/kg milk in 2013, the situation is very tense for Dutch milk producers”, said DDB President Sieta van Keimpema. The deficit between production costs and farm gate milk prices does not only put single farms at danger, but poses a risk for milk production in the Netherlands as a whole.
Background information
The Büro für Agrarsoziologie und Landwirtschaft (BAL) has already carried out studies on production costs in Germany and in France. These scientific studies had been launched by the European Milk Board (EMB) and the MEG Milch Board. Thanks to this new study presented by the DDB, the Netherlands became yet another country in which production costs are known. In all three countries it became clear that there is a very large gap between costs of production and the milk price paid to producers. This situation is not acceptable.
Contacts:
EMB President Romuald Schaber (DE): +49 (0)160 352 4703
DDB President Sieta van Keimpema (NL, DE, EN): +31 (0) 61 21 68000
Original Press release from Dutch Dairymen Board (DDB) as pdf
