Strong production, tested demand send milk prices crashing
Strong global milk production and rebalancing of demand among key buyers has delivered one of the biggest drops in whole milk powder prices in recent years.
Global dairy prices have taken a hit in the overnight auction.
As predicted by the futures market, prices fell as concerns grew around coronavirus in China and its impact on global trade.
China is Fonterra’s major key market: Around 11% of all dairy consumption in China comes from Fonterra
The GDT price index fell 4.7%: whole milk powder down 6.2%, skimmed milk powder down 4.2%, and butter up 0.2%.
Updated coronavirus statistics show confirmed cases total 20,708 worldwide (20,483 in China), of which 4% have recovered, 13% are in critical condition, and 427 have died (425 in China).
Key results
AMF index down 4.5%, average price US$4,626/MT
Butter index up 0.2%, average price US$4,258/MT
BMP index down 5.2%, average price US$2,886/MT
Ched index up 6.0%, average price US$4,302/MT
LAC index up 2.5%, average price US$830/MT
RenCas index up 6.0%, average price US$9,956/MT
SMP index down 4.2%, average price US$2,907/MT
SWP index not available, average price not available
WMP index down 6.2%, average price US$3,039/MT
BNZ says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through an innovative new initiative that helps make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking a little easier.
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Lincoln University Dairy Farm will be tweaking some management practices after an animal welfare complaint laid in mid-August, despite the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) investigation into the complaint finding no cause for action.
A large slice of the $3.2 billion proposed capital return for Fonterra farmer shareholders could end up with the banks.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.