New Zealand’s milk supply is declining – milk analysis

Milk supply in March was 1.75 million tonnes, down 8.46% from February’s 1.81 million tonnes. New Zealand milk production in March 2024 was 63,000 tonnes lower, or a 3.47% decline, compared to March last year. This brings the total production in March 2024 to 5.99 million tonnes. That’s slightly higher than last year’s 5.98 million in the first three months, but that doesn’t make a huge difference.

The weather phenomenon El Nino plays a role in March’s fall. This would have resulted in drier weather than normal. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), many dairy farms in the country are suffering from the effects of the drought. On top of that there are irrigation restrictions. These are said to have been imposed due to lowering of the ground water table. Here’s hoping for good weather in New Zealand.

Australia
Australia’s milk production in March 2024 was 596.4 million litres, up from March 2023, when milk production was 580.3 million litres, down 2.8%. Milk supply stood at 601.8 million liters in February 2024, an increase of 0.9%. According to the Australian Meteorological Agency, the USDA writes that El Niño is over. Particular attention is now being paid to developments related to La Niña. It remains uncertain whether this weather phenomenon, the reverse of El Nino, will develop later in the year.