During its annual meeting the Belgian Confederation of the Dairy Industry (BCZ) reported on Friday that turnover increased by 10.7 percent, from just under 5 billion in 2016 to 5.5 billion euro in 2017. Employment in the sector also rose by 1.8 percent to 5,818 people for the second consecutive year. Investments increased slightly to 106 million euro.
According to the BCZ, the sector produced more than 100,000 tonnes of cheese for the first time, of which two thirds were mozarella. Exports of dairy products increased by 23 percent to 3.3 billion euro. Exports account for 60 percent of sales the majority of which, more than 80 percent, go to other EU countries.
Regarding sustainability, the dairy industry recovered 28 percent of the water used last year. Milk powder companies recuperated 50 percent through the recovery of condensation water. The BCZ said “milk powder companies will eventually become water neutral.”
Arthur Rubinstein
The Brussels Times
