Exports from EU between January and May of 2015 were reported to be 1% lower than last year. Whole milk powder (WMP) exports were down by 11% to 161,318t, while the total amount of cheese exported from the region was down by 12% to 281,455t.

Butter and skim milk powder (SMP) fared better. Butter exports from the EU were up by 17%, to 58,227t, with SMP exports increasing by 12% to 304,955t for the same period.

Exports from New Zealand were 2% lower in January-June 2015 from the same period in 2014. The largest category of these exports was WMP, which was down by 8% to 681,818t. NZ butter exports were also down, by 14%, to 160,600t.

However, SMP exports increased by 19% to 201,400t, while cheese exports also increased by 18% to 165,455t.