The production of milk for individual consumption amounted to over 64,300 tonnes in the first quarter of the year in Romania, up 14.2 percent, or some 8,000 tonnes, compared to the same period in 2013.

The quantity of milk collected by processing units increased by 12.5 percent, to over 216,200 tonnes, according to data from the National Statistics Institute INS.

Production increases were also recorded for cheese products, including cheese obtained exclusively from cow milk, for cream and sour milk. The butter production decreased by 1.4 percent in Q1 2014 compared to the same period in the previous year, to 2,347 tonnes.

The quantity of imported raw milk dropped from 29,158 tonnes in the first quarter of 2013 to 28,295 tonnes in the first quarter of 2014.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com