27 October 2009 New Zealand's fluid milk production is predicted to rise by 9.6 per cent to 16.6 million tons, a US government report has said.
The increase is due to an increase in cow numbers coupled with a reasonably good growing season, the report added.
In 2010 fluid milk production is expected to increase by 2.5 per cent to 17 million tons in 2009-2010.
The report stated that Whole Milk Powder (WMP) production is also predicted to increase by 16 per cent compared to the previous year to 754,000 tons in 2008-2009. In 2009-2010 WMP production, could reach 800,000 tons.
New Zealand butter production is estimated at 428,000 tons in 2008-2009 an increase of 2 per cent on the previous year.
The New Zealand dairy industry accounts for about 23 per cent of the country’s total merchandise exports.
Dairy exports to China rose by 45 per cent in 2008-2009 from USD 333 million during the previous year to USD 484 million.