The production of powdered milk decreased in the Azores from 20.7 thousand tons in 2020 to 10.8 thousand tons in 2022, and in 2021 the decrease was already significant, standing at 16.9 thousand tons, according to data from SREA (Regional Statistics Service of the Azores).

In the same years, cheese production rose, although in less significant numbers. In 2020 the Azores had produced 32.9 thousand tons of cheese, with production growing in 2021, but slightly, to 33.0 thousand tons. In 2022 there was a more significant increase to 34.9 thousand tons.

Drinking milk also decreased. In 2020 it stood at 125.7 million liters, falling in 2021 to 113.6 million. In 2022 it continued to fall, now to 104.6 million liters.

Bearing in mind the SREA data for the last three years, the milk entering the factories registered a very significant decrease in 2022, compared to the previous year, standing at 601.7 million liters, compared to 643.6 million in 2021. In 2020, 652.1 million liters entered Azorean factories.

The average price of a liter of milk to the producer in the Azores stood at 27.9 cents in 2020 and 2021, but in 2022 it jumped to 38.0 cents, representing a jump of 36.2 percent.

In the first five months of 2023 (January-May), the Region has already produced 267.0 million liters of cow’s milk, according to SREA data.

In the period in question, 13.3 thousand tons of cheese, 5.4 thousand tons of butter, and 318.6 thousand liters of yogurt were produced. Powdered milk reached 9.0 thousand tons in this period.

The Azores represent only 3.3 percent of Portugal’s territory but produce between 33 and 35 percent of the country’s entire cow’s milk and more than 50 percent of the cheese made from that animal’s milk.

The raw cow’s milk cheese produced in São Jorge is considered one of the best products in its category. It is sold in several countries, including to emigrant communities in the USA and Canada. Azorean cheeses with pasteurized milk are also considered very high quality and have a guaranteed market.

From Correio dos Açores newsppaer, Natalino Viveiros-director. Translated to English by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Insitute and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures at Fresno State as a community outreach program.