Family Farms Produced 5.5 Percent More Milk Last Year

The total milk production on family farms in 2016 increased by 5.5 percent compared to the previous year, while the quantities of milk that these farms delivered for purchase rose by 4.8 percent, according to data from the State Bureau of Statistics.

According to DZS data, last year the total milk production, including cow, sheep, and goat milk, on family farms amounted to nearly 516.2 thousand tons, which is about 27 thousand tons or 5.5 percent more than in 2015.

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The largest portion of this milk, 316.7 thousand tons, was delivered by family farms to dairies, and these quantities were 4.8 percent, or about 14 thousand tons, higher than in 2015.

Decline in Cream Production

Official statistics show that at the same time, the quantity of milk consumed within households in fresh form decreased by 10.6 percent, or about 5.2 thousand tons, to a total of 43.5 thousand tons.

In contrast, the quantities of milk used by family farms for livestock feed increased by 3.4 percent, to 69 thousand tons, while the quantities of milk sold directly, on the farm, at markets, etc., increased by 18.9 percent compared to the previous year, to 27.2 thousand tons.

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The quantities of milk processed by family farms also increased, by 20.6 percent, to nearly 56 thousand tons.

Statistics on the products obtained from milk processing on the farm show, however, that in 2016 there was a decline in produced cream, by 21.6 percent, to 1,043 tons, and other products, such as yogurt, sour milk, etc., by 29.7 percent, to 362 tons.

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At the same time, butter production increased by 22.6 percent, to 38 tons, fresh cheese by 1.2 percent, to 4,419 tons, and other cheeses by 27.2 percent, to 810 tons.