A rollercoaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Having sold most of its milk for the 2020/21 season, Fonterra says it is now in a position to narrow this season’s range - from $7.30 - $7.90/ kgMS to $7.45 - $7.65/kgMS.
Chief executive Hurrell says, at a mid-point of $7.55/kgMS , 2020/21 would be the second year in a row with the forecast farmgate milk price above $7/kgMS.
Hurrell says since March, global dairy prices have settled, somewhat.
“This is why we have revised our midpoint down 5 cents.”
He referred to the “extraordinary” March Global Dairy Trade (GDT) event, where prices jumped 15% and contributed to the increase in its forecast 2020/21 farmgate milk price range.
Back in March, the average price for whole milk powder was over US$4,350/metric tonne. In the last three GDT events, however, the average price has reduced to close to US$4,100/metric tonne. And GDT butter prices have gone from almost US$6,000 per metric tonne to below US$5,000 per metric tonne for the first time since January, Hurrell notes.
