Markets resilient, farmers hopeful
OPINION: The global dairy market continues to show resilience, and farmers remain cautiously optimistic as we move into the latter half of 2025.
Dairy farmers will be feeling some relief this morning with the latest Global Dairy Trade auction seeing its third consecutive rise.
The GDT price index rose 16.5% at last night’s auction, with products fetching an average price of US$2568/MT.
Fonterra’s key product Whole Milk Powder saw the biggest gain, the average price rising a massive 20.6% to US$2,495/MT.
Skim Milk Powder also saw a large increase of 17.0%, to an average price of US$1,992/MT.
Most other products saw gains. Anhydrous Milk Fat was up 13.7%, to US$3,440/MT, followed by Butter, which rose 13.3%, to US$3,108/MT and Cheddar up 10.7%, to US$3,206/MT.
Lactose and Rennet Casein saw minor gains, with the prices indexes up 3.1%, (US$499/MT) and 0.6%, (US$5,807/MT), respectively.
Butter Milk Powder was down 1.9%, to an average price of US$1,719/MT.
The auction saw 36,050 tonnes sold, up slightly on the last auction.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.