The Azores produced last year 611 million litres of milk, reaching a record figure in one of the most important sectors of the archipelago. It represents a growth of 1.32% over 2016, as reported by the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry.
Production in 2017 grew almost eight million litres of milk compared to 2016, when it reached 602 million litres.
In 2015, the Azores produced 609 million litres of milk, a figure considered historical until now.
The islands that registered the highest production increase in 2017 were São Miguel with 2.26%, Pico with 0.48% and Terceira with 0.33%.
Twenty years ago, milk production in the Azores stood at 397 million of litres, which is less that overall production on São Miguel Island. In 2017, it accounted for the production of 402 litres of milk.
"These results stem from the investments made by the Regional Government and producers in the modernisation and improvement of farm conditions (water, electricity and accessibility) as well as in genetic improvement and animal welfare, among others," said the Regional Secretary.
Moreover, João Ponte pointed out the favourable weather conditions in 2017 and the upward trend in the price of milk in force in regional and international markets.
In December, the average price paid to producers in the Azores stood at 30 cents, compared to the amount of 27.8 cent paid in 2016, which corresponds to a positive variation of 7.6%.
It should be noted that these are average values, since producers are receiving higher amounts as result of the prices paid by different industries, the organoleptic properties of milk delivered in factories (fat and protein content) and refrigeration, among other factors.
Despite the challenges that are yet to be overcome, the regional dairy sector continues to grow and remains as one of main driving forces of Azorean economy.
"It is necessary that the industry continues to increasingly invest in the innovation and promotion of milk and its derivatives in order to conquer new markets that will acknowledge the value of dairy products. This is the only way of increasing the income of farmers and of the entire industry," said João Ponte.