Dhe German dairy farmers are presently getting more cash for his or her “white gold” than they have in a long time – and but they should not be in an excessive amount of of a get together temper this Wednesday, World Milk Day. As a result of the consumption of cow’s milk in Germany has reached a low level: Each German consumed simply 47.8 kilograms of so-called shopper milk – i.e. complete milk, skimmed, partially skimmed and preferential milk – on common in 2021. That is the bottom worth because the starting of all-German information in the 12 months 1991
The quantity, which is initially provisional, was calculated by the Federal Info Middle for Agriculture (BZL). Statisticians have been observing a downward pattern there for a long time. Milk consumption has due to this fact virtually halved in the previous 50 years. The decline has by no means been as clear as in 2021. Within the Corona 12 months 2020, per capita consumption was a mean of fifty kilograms and thus greater than in earlier years, which the trade attributes to the stocking of households with UHT milk throughout the lockdowns.
The BZL cites the elevated consumption of plant-based milk alternate options similar to soy, oat or almond drinks as a potential cause for the downward pattern. Nonetheless, the authority has not but collected official figures for his or her consumption. A take a look at the overseas commerce statistics reveals that the import of plant-based drinks elevated by virtually 350 p.c between 2017 and 2021. Oat milk accounted for the biggest share of the German gross sales quantity with 127 million liters most not too long ago. In surveys, customers repeatedly cite animal and local weather safety as a cause for consuming milk alternate options. However they additionally settle for greater costs: A liter of oat milk presently prices between 1.80 and virtually three euros in retail, the identical quantity of complete milk is already out there for 88 cents.
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The local weather stability of milk alternate options is just not undisputed. In a 2018 examine by the College of Oxford, cow’s milk carried out properly in comparability to soy, oat, rice and almond drinks each in phrases of CO2emissions in addition to on water and land consumption. However there are additionally different voices: In a latest interview with the FAS, the agricultural scientist Wilhelm Windisch argued in favor of cow’s milk, since dairy cattle farming on the identical space produces extra energy than the manufacturing of oat milk and is due to this fact extra environment friendly.
The Affiliation of Bavarian Milk Producers is anxious concerning the determination to not devour milk in favor of alternate options. Nonetheless, the plant drinks alone are usually not liable for the decline: “Consuming milk as a meals in the type of complete milk is just not stylish. We have seen this for many years,” stated Managing Director Hans-Jürgen Seufferlein. The consumption of processed dairy merchandise similar to butter and cheese, however, has remained fixed and even elevated. For the reason that variety of dairy farms in Germany can be declining, provide and demand are balanced. Milk consumption has been rising globally for years.
