The drought, accentuated by the multiple waves of heat waves, has an impact on the production of fodder intended for feeding cows. A new increase which is part of the generalized inflation of prices, especially in food.
Another rise. This time, it is the price of milk that is likely to increase in the coming weeks. As a result, all dairy products (cheese, yogurt, butter) could also experience sharp price increases. A new difficult test for consumers in a context of general price increases since the post-Covid economic recovery and the start of the war in Ukraine.
The drought in question
It is the historic drought of the last few weeks that explains the forecasts for the increase in the price of milk. The lack of rain for several weeks, accentuated by the heat waves, has devastating effects on fodder production. According July 28 report d’Agreste, the statistics site of the Ministry of Agriculture, as of July 20, the grassland harvest deficit was 21%. Since the drought worsened in August, the losses could be much greater.
In detail, yields are very low in Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, Paca and Occitanie. According to AFP information quoted by BFM TV, when the grass runs out, few solutions are available to farmers: sell animals, dip into winter stocks or even buy supplementary feed. But for cost reasons, it is the first solution that would be favored by operators.
Lack of milk
However, with the sale of animals, the herds will be smaller. Milk production will then be impacted. “A lack of milk will lead to a reduction in the possibilities of producing butter, cream, milk cartons, cheeses… And when you have a lack of product, regardless of the sector, there is an impact on the price”, explains Benoît Rouyer to AFP.
The annual negotiations on the price have been reopened in recent months, the National Federation of Milk Producers demands that the liter of milk be sold around the euro. If the negotiations fail to succeed, the Federation promises to switch to “destructive unionism” in September.