Battle for milk
OPINION: Fonterra may be on the verge of selling its consumer business in New Zealand, but the co-operative is not keen on giving any ground to its competitors in the country.
However, ANZ agri economist Matt Dilly says regardless of where precisely the 2025-26 price lands, it will likely be well above DairyNZ's breakeven milk price of $8.68/kgMS.
On top of that, for Fonterra supplier/shareholders at least, is the prospect of further capital returns.
Milk price futures for the 2025/26 season are currently at $10.10/kgMS, 5 cents below the 2024/25 season's likely payout.
The ANZ forecast for 2025/26 is unchanged at $10/kgMS. Fonterra's forecast has a mid-point of $10/kgMS.
But Dilly notes that while milk price futures are slightly higher at present, the risks are weighted toward the downside.
"Globally, dairy prices are high and the cost of feed is low - a very clear expansion signal.
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"If New Zealand has another great production year at the same time as other major exporters do, especially those in the Western Hemisphere, supply could finally catch up to demand and push prices lower."
In August, Fonterra announced the sale of its consumer and associated businesses to Lactalis for $4.22 billion, pending shareholder and regulatory approval. The co-operative is targeting a tax-free capital return of $2/share once the sale is completed in the first half of 2026.
Dilly notes that this would be on top of the usual annual dividend, which is expected to be healthy this season.
At the same time demand for dairy products seems robust despite high prices.
"There is some indication that buyers have been trying to be patient, buying just enough to cover short-term needs," he says.
"They will be hoping that new supply will drive prices down before they are forced to refill inventories."
In 2024/25, major exporters other than New Zealand found it difficult to keep up with demand, he adds.
Poor weather in South America, bird flu in the US, and blue tongue disease in the EU kept a lid on production.
But for 2025/26, supply is starting to expand in most major exporting countries, says Dilly.
"Low grain and feed prices and high milk prices are incentivising output growth. While demand remains strong, the additional supply in the coming months could pressure prices."
Rabobank senior agriculture analyst, Emma Higgins says milk production is clearly expanding across major exporters.
Higgins says US collections rose 3.4% year-on-year - the strongest growth since May 2021, driven by larger herds, better yields, solid margins and a rebound from last year's avian influenza impact.
She says in New Zealand milk flows have posted two consecutive months of strong growth.
"Looking ahead milk supply growth is expected to continue across most exporting regions.
"Supportive farmgate margins, recovery from last year's disease disruptions and favourable weather conditions are key.
"Farmgate prices in Europe and Oceania remain near record highs, while feed costs are expected to stay manageable through 2026 due to ample supply," says Higgins.
