PRODUCTION AND USAGE OF MILK AT AGRICULTURAL FARMS, 2023

In 2023 as compared to 2022, the total production of milk at private family farms decreased by 17.0%, that is, by about 56 000 tonnes. At the same time, the quantity of milk that farms delivered to dairies decreased by 14.0%, that is, by about 28 500 tonnes.

The decrease in the production of milk also influenced direct sales of milk, which decreased by 24.0%. The consumption of fresh milk in households decreased by 27.4%, while the total quantity of milk used for feedingstuffs decreased by 28.0%. The quantity of milk processed at farms into dairy products decreased by 8.5% compared to the previous year.

As regards dairy products, the total production of fresh cheese decreased by 5.5%, while the production of other types of cheese decreased at the same time by 2.1%. The production of cream decreased by 23.2% and the production of butter by 25.0%, while the production of other products increased by 7.2%.

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Sources and methods of data collection

The methodology for carrying out the survey on milk and dairy products is based on the Methodological Basis for Gathering Data on Milk and Dairy Products Statistics (NN, No. 42/13).

The data on the annual milk production at private family farms are collected as a part of the regular annual survey on the number of livestock and livestock production, which is done by using the sampling method.

The sample for the Annual Survey on Crop and Animal Production (PO-71 form) has been selected on the basis of the Statistical Register of Agricultural Holdings and consists of approximately 17 000 units.

The expanded data have been compared to the data from previous years and to available administrative sources (Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food ‒ Central Laboratory for Milk Quality Control). On the basis of all available data, corrections have been implemented as needed.

Coverage and comparability

The reporting units for the Annual Report on Livestock Production on Agricultural Farms are private family farms engaged in the breeding of livestock and poultry.

The total quantity of milk delivered to dairies (the Central Laboratory for Milk Control data published in the First Release POLJ-2024-3-6 Production of Milk and Dairy Products, 2023) exceeds the figure issued in this First Release due to the fact that it includes only private family farms.

Confidentiality

Aggregate data for which there are reasons for confidentiality (small number of units, the dominance rule or secondary confidentiality rule) are treated as confidential in accordance with the Official Statistics Act (NN, Nos 25/20 and 155/23) and the Instructions on the Method of the Protection of Confidential Statistical Data in the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, and therefore are not published.

Definitions

Total milk production includes cows’, ewes’ and goats’ milk obtained by milking. Quantities of available milk and its usage are expressed in tonnes. The conversion coefficient for milk is 1.03 (1 l = 1.03 kg).

Milk delivered to dairies includes deliveries of all types of milk (cows’, ewes’ and goats’).

Home consumption includes whole milk consumed by a holder’s household (for human consumption only).

Direct sales include the sale at an agricultural farm or a market as well as giving whole milk for human consumption directly to final consumers.

Milk for feedingstuffs includes whole milk used on a farm for animal feedingstuffs (either milk itself or as a compound of other animal feedingstuffs).

Differences and losses item refers to the statistical difference and the quantities of milk lost during manufacturing.

Products obtained include cream, butter, cheese and other products obtained by milk processing on farms. Quantities are expressed as net amounts in tonnes.

Abbreviations

Symbols

Published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, Zagreb, Ilica 3, P. O. B. 80
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Persons responsible:
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Lidija Brković, Director General

Prepared by:
Mario Valentić and Ana Pavetić

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