Turkey's milk production up 13.4 pct in January

By Muhammed Ali Gurtas

ANKARA

Turkey's cow milk production rose by 13.4 percent in January this year, compared with the same month of last year, the country's statistical authority said on Tuesday.

TurkStat data revealed that the amount of collected cow's milk reached 845,191 tons in the first month of this year, up from 745,578-ton production in January, 2017.

"Drinking milk production by integrated dairies became 178,400 tons in January and increased by 22.1 percent when compared to the same month of last year," the institute said.

Official data showed that cheese production from cow’s milk amounted to 60,000 tons with a 12 percent yearly increase over the same period, while cheese production from sheep, goat, buffalo and mixed milk rose by 90.9 percent to 616 tons.

"Yoghurt production became 93,535 tons in January and increased by 5 percent when compared to same month of last year," TurkStat said, adding that the production of ayran -- a drink made of yoghurt and water -- climbed by 12.1 percent to 52,965 tons.

Last year, around 9.1 million tons of cow milk were collected in Turkey while over 1.5 million tons of drinking milk production was recorded. The country's exports of dairy products and eggs amounted to $711.5 million while imports stood at $126.4 million in 2017.

The country's official statistical authority will release next figures about milk and milk products on April 13.