Based on Eurostat’s estimates as of December 2024, Europe’s milk cow
numbers totaled 19.23 million head, down 687,000 head year over year and
the lowest numbers seen in decades. Germany and France reported fewer
milk cows from 2023 to 2024, down 123,000 head and 91,000 head,
respectively. Following a large expansion in 2023, Poland experienced a
significant 283,000 head drop year over year.