Yves Leduc, director of policy and trade for the Dairy Farmers of Canada, told CTV News – London that industry research shows a resurgence of interest in butter, a saturated fat, among consumers who perceive it as a healthier option when consumed in moderation than margarine, a trans fat.

"I think the result of this research has had an impact on consumers turning back to consuming a product like butter, which is as natural as you can get. There's no added ingredients or additives in butter,” he said.

Brian Cameron, the general manager of Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia, said in the last two years, consumer demand has increased 2 to 3 percent year over year. Fluid cream has increased by 3.5 percent.

"For butter and a dairy product, that's a large increase," Cameron told CBC's Maritime Noon.

The Canadian Dairy Commission does keep an extra inventory of butter in case of shortage, but with the extra call for the holidays, it was recognized that more needed to be done to keep up with the diminishing supplies.

"Just last year there's been an increase of about 6 to 8 percent of the production level as a response to meet that increased demand, and the Canadian Dairy Commission has just announced an additional increase of quota of 2 percent starting Dec. 1," Leduc said to CTV News – London.

The call for more milk in early December will help keep store shelves stocked and build up inventory for the coming year.  PD

—Summarized by Progressive Dairyman staff from cited sources