When will global milk production hit a tipping point?
With global milk prices falling, the question is when will key exporting countries reach a tipping point where production starts to dip.
In the GDT auction overnight, SMP price rose 3.3% to $US3017/metric tonne, the highest level in five years.
Over the past few years SMP prices struggled due to the high stocks produced in the EU: huge stockpiles of SMP held by EU members have been holding prices down.
In August 2015, SMP prices slumped to US$1419/MT. Around this time last year, SMP was fetching only US$1965/MT.
The EU stocks are now dwindling and due to lower prices manufacturers have directed milk away from SMP into other product mixes, resulting in a shortage.
This has helped SMP prices reach the highest level seen in five years.
The GDT price index for last night’s auction rose 1.7% compared to the previous auction.
Whole milk powder price rose 2.2% to US$3321/MT.
Key results
AMF index down 1.5%, average price US$5,108/MT
Butter index down 1.3%, average price US$4,061/MT
BMP not offered
Ched index up 2.5%, average price US$3,701/MT
LAC index up 1.3%, average price US$775/MT
RenCas index up 5.6%, average price US$7,668/MT
SMP index up 3.3%, average price US$3,017/MT
SWP index not available, average price not available
WMP index up 2.2%, average price US$3,321/MT
