Market trends and production structure in the Spanish dairy sector following entry into the EEC

Abstract

The milk quota system has increased the rate of the process of dissapearance of farms, affecting mainly to smaller size units, while at the same time it was developing a group of medium and big size, as a result of improvements taken in those farms, which are the main responsables for the increase in milk production. The viability of part of these dairy farms is under question because of a quota deficit and of reduced size and lack of sucession. The limitations derived from land availability have forced to an increased use of concentrates which reduces their ability to compete in costs. The moderate increase increase in consumption of dairy products in the spanish market and the reduction of direct sales has allowed the expansion of dairies and a increase in the deficit of external trade. The main changes in dairies have been a process of concentration resulting in the constitution of medium size groups and a increase in the share of foreing enterprises. The Agenda 2000 agreements, the existing round with the WMO and the negotiations to the UE enlargement are going to result in new changes in the milk policy, which will further affect the spanish dairy sector.