Turkey's milk production up over 17 percent in March

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's cow milk production increased by 17.9 percent in March compared to the same month last year, the country's statistical authority said on Monday.

TurkStat data revealed the amount of collected milk reached 936,687 tons in the third month of this year.

"Drinking milk production by integrated dairies was 161,374 tons in March and increased by 16.7 percent when compared to the same month of the previous year," it said.

Official data showed that cheese production from cow’s milk amounted to 64,550 tons -- a 12 percent yearly increase -- while cheese production from sheep, goat, buffalo and mixed milk rose by 37.6 percent to 3,123 tons.

"Yoghurt production became 100,393 tons in March and increased by 2.7 percent when compared to same month of the previous year," TurkStat said, adding that the production of ayran -- a drink made of yoghurt and water in Turkey -- climbed by 1.5 percent to 63,613 tons.