Accuracy and reliability

Overall accuracy

The reporting of milk quantities delivered to dairies is of high quality, as dairies are legally required to register this data, and it forms the basis for payments to milk producers. Dairies are also legally required to register their production volumes.

The calculation of prices and values is based partly on actual on-account prices and partly on estimates of the expected supplementary payments. These payments are distributed by the cooperatives and are only finalized after the end of the dairy year, which can lead to uncertainties in the periodization. Once the supplementary payment is finalized, the prices are adjusted accordingly.

The figures for milk consumption on farms and for animal feed are determined by professional estimates in consultation with the Danish Dairy Board. These quantities are reassessed annually.

Sampling error

Not relevant for this statistics.

Non-sampling error

There is some uncertainty in the estimated milk consumption by producers, as it is based on average assumptions regarding the amount of milk consumed by calves and the volume used for on-farm human consumption. The estimate has been established in consultation with a dairy production expert, ensuring that the degree of uncertainty is low.

• From 1 January 2025, the volume of milk for human consumption by producers is 2.376 million kg, while the volume for animal feed is 75 million kg.
• From 1 January 2025, the consumption of milk for human consumption at the farm is 2.376 million. kg and consumption for feed for the young cattle is 75 million. kg. milk.
• From 1 January 2020, the consumption of milk for human consumption at the farm is 3.024 million. kg and consumption for feed for the young cattle is 75 million. kg. milk.
• From 1 January 2015, the consumption of milk for human consumption at the farm is 3.87 million. kg and consumption for feed for the young cattle is 75 million. kg. milk.
• From 1 January 2012, the consumption of milk for human consumption at the farm was 4.32 million. kg and consumption for feed for the young cattle was 75 million. kg. milk.
• From 1 January 2009, the consumption of milk for human consumption at the farm was 5 million. kg and consumption for feed for the young cattle was 75 million. kg. milk.
• Before 1 January 2009, the consumption of milk for human consumption at the farm was 10 million. kg and consumption for feed for the young cattle was 125 million. kg. mil

Quality management

Statistics Denmark follows the recommendations on organisation and management of quality given in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and the implementation guidelines given in the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF). A Working Group on Quality and a central quality assurance function have been established to continuously carry through control of products and processes.

Quality assurance

Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.

Quality assessment

The calculation of the amount of milk weighed on dairies is of high quality as it is compulsory for dairies to register this and report it to the central livestock register, as owner of the Ministry of Environment and Food. The information is also the basis for the settlement to the milk supplier (farmer).

Data revision - policy

Statistics Denmark revises published figures in accordance with the Revision Policy for Statistics Denmark. The common procedures and principles of the Revision Policy are for some statistics supplemented by a specific revision practice.

Data revision practice

Data for the past three months are preliminary, as some dairies are slow to report final production figures. The difference between preliminary and final figures is usually very small. The figures are revised continuously and are generally considered final after three months.

Once a year, milk prices are adjusted to reflect the actual year-end bonus (supplementary payment), which is typically available in the spring. Until then, the previous year's bonus is applied.