Tuesday, 03 September 2024 10:55

China’s milk production dips, should keep global prices up

Written by  Peter Burke
Stefan Vogel, Rabobank Stefan Vogel, Rabobank

There are some positive signs coming from China regarding dairy, according to Stefan Vogel, general manager of Rabobank Research for Australasia.

Milk production in China is down, like man other parts of the world, due to rising cost of production, he points out.

Vogel says the Chinese Government's decision to lift domestic dairy production led to a substantial increase over the past five years.

But he says there are signs that this is slowing down, due in part to the higher cost of production which is hitting dairy farmers worldwide.

"We have seen a drop in milk production in other places such as the US, South America and the EU," he told the NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM).

"That could be good news and help the trade down the road," he says.

"But dairy imports into China in 2025 may still be challenged and won't be back to where we were two or three years ago, so that means challenging prices for a while longer," he says.

Despite the ups and downs of the international dairy market, Vogel believes the future of the NZ dairy industry will remain an important part of the country's farming system.

He says the moves by government to seek new trade agreements and diversification into new markets will be a part of the new order.

He says NZ is in the top category of efficient dairy producers, but not the number one.

He says NZ is tracking well and moving in the right direction to meet sustainability goals and deliver what the consumers want.

He says farmers in NZ, like those in Europe, have been given a bit of breathing space to reach the targets.

"When I went school, if somebody told me I had a little bit more time, I went to the playground rather than study. The message I have for NZ is this is not the time to go to the playground," he says.

More like this

NZ wine grapples with oversupply despite export gains

The large 2025 harvest will exacerbate the wine industry's "lingering" supply from recent vintages, New Zealand Winegrowers Chief Executive Philip Gregan told attendees at Grape Days events around the country in June.

Featured

DairyNZ plantain trials cut nitrate leaching by 26%

DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.

All eyes on NZ milk supply

All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.

National

Machinery & Products

JDLink Boost for NZ farms

Connectivity is widely recognised as one of the biggest challenges facing farmers, but it is now being overcome through the…

New generation Defender HD11

The all-new 2026 Can-Am Defender HD11 looks likely to raise the bar in the highly competitive side-by-side category.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Building trust

OPINION: The war of words between Southland farmers and Environment Southland over winter grazing inspections reflects a deep lack of trust…

No Joy

OPINION: Milking It understands a formal disciplinary process is being conducted by Victoria University of Wellington on what one of…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter