Agroexport has published data on the structure of dairy products imports to Russia in the first half of 2021
Imports of dried whey products decreased by 45% in the first half of the year amid rising prices. High world prices favor the increase in the production of wheypowder, Agroexport notes.
In July, the average daily production of cheese continued to decline, which began in April, at the very beginning of the high season. The remaining cheese in the country decreased by 5 thousand metric tons in a month, at the beginning of August it was the highest in 5 years (67 thousand metric tons). Imports for the first half of 2021 increased by 15%, while production increased by less than 2%.
In July, butter production decreased by 7% for the month, the same was the decrease to the level of July 2020. The accumulated balances in June were consumed during the month, at the beginning of August they amounted to 21 thousand metric tons and now they are at a relatively sufficient level. At the same time, Agroexport emphasizes, the sources of replenishment of butter reserves in Russia are limited. The demand in the country can both push prices to further increase and increase in imports, and fix them.
At the beginning of August, the remains of skim milk powder in the country were the minimum for 5 years (9.3 thousand metric tons). Low seasonal inventories are putting pressure on the price ahead of the autumn production decline.
The remains of whole milk powder at the beginning of August are far from the minimum (2019) and are 3% higher than last year's level (7.5 thousand metric tons). The data indicate a reduction in consumption of the product for the year.
In the first half of the year, Agroexport reports, all food categories in imports decreased to the level of 2020, except cheese (+16%). Butter imports decreased by 1% (-20% - New Zealand, -4% — Argentina), skimmed milk powder (Belarus) decreased by 20%, whole milk powder - by 15% (+25% from Belarus, -10% from New Zealand), processed milk - by 32%, dried whey products - by 46%.