State of the Dairy Nation 2024/25: DairyNZ Highlights Record Milk Production and Export Growth
DairyNZ's chief executive Campbell Parker says the 2024/25 dairy season reinforces the importance of the dairy sector to New Zealand.
The latest drop in the Global Dairy Trade price index will impact many farmers carrying a lot of debt, says DairyNZ chairman John Luxton.
Now banks must give young farmers leeway as they work their way through the crisis.
“Hopefully in 12 months there will be a much stronger industry going forward,” he told Dairy News.
The price index fell 9.3% in the latest GDT – the 10th consecutive fall, bringing it to levels not seen since 2002.
Whole milk powder, a crucial product for New Zealand, fell by 10.3% on average to US$1590/tonne.
Skim milk powder prices slumped by 14.4% to US$1419/t on average.
Anhydrous milk fat prices fell by 11.7%, butter by 6.1% and butter milk powder by 5.1%.
Luxton says NZ is very exposed to a thinly traded market.
“One outcome of the low GDT is likely to be a rapid lowering of our cost systems and probably some reduction in milk production out of NZ.
“When you look at the world market there isn’t a big overhang of surpluses despite what people are saying. The supply and demand is reasonably well balanced.”
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) today announced that Chief Executive Officer Sirma Karapeeva has resigned from the role.
The winners of the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at Copthorne Solway Park in Masterton on Thursday evening.
Environment Southland is welcoming this week’s decision by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the release of Blaptea elguetai, a leaf‑feeding beetle that will help control the highly invasive Chilean flame creeper.
This March, the potato industry is proudly celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March alongside the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the vital role women play across every part of the sector — from paddocks and packhouses to research, leadership, and innovation.
Fruit trader Seeka posted a record profit and returns to shareholders in 2025.
Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.
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