MD_DA107 DA MD DA107 Whole Milk Powder - Europe MADISON, WI. March 02, 2017 (REPORT 9) WESTERN EUROPE INFORMATION GATHERED 02/20/2017 - 03/03/2017 U.S. DOLLARS PER METRIC TON, FOB PORT WHOLE MILK POWDER (WMP): Western Europe whole milk powder prices weakened at each end of the price range. Beginning in the second half of February WMP markets in the EU quieted, and remain quiet. Many buyers are stocked and not in any rush to complete transactions. EU manufacturers continue efforts to increase their placements into export markets, but it remains a challenge to edge into existing WMP relationships with buyers comfortable with existing sources and formulations. Potential customers in the Middle East have been the focus of efforts most recently. EU production of WMP during 2016 was 3.8% higher than during 2015. December 2016 production was 0.7% higher than December 2015. Production during 2016 in Netherlands was the highest among EU countries, up 26.4% for the year and up 21.2% for December. France was the number two 2016 producer. However, 2016 annual production lagged 2015 by 0.4%, as well as for December 2016 compared with December 2015. Germany, the number three producer, had mixed results. Production for the year 2016 led 2015 by 5.9% while December 2016 production lagged December 2015 by 8.8%. European Union WMP exports for 2016, 367,132 MT, were 0.7% lower than 2015 exports according to Eucolait. For the year, the main destinations were Oman, 12.5%; Algeria, 8.9%; and China, 4.9%. 26% BUTTERFAT: 3,025 - 3,200 0930c eric.graf@ams.usda.gov USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin Dairy Market News website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/market- news/dairy Dairy Market News database portal: http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home