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 prices have taken a plunge once again, with the dairy price index dropping 10.7% to USD$2,082 MT at last night’s Global Dairy Trade auction.
It is the ninth consecutive fall this year and takes the index to its lowest point in 6 years.
Whole Milk Powder (WMP), a key product for Fonterra, dropped 13.1% with an average price of US$1,848/MT. This is the biggest fall for WMP in 12 months. Cheddar also fell sharply, down 13.9%, to US$2,613/MT.
Anhydrous Milk Fat (AMF) and Skim Milk Powder (SMP) saw significant falls, with AMF down 10.6%, to an average price of US$2,621/MT and SMP down 10.1%, to US$1,702/MT.
Butter fell 9.5%, with an average price of US$2,460/MT, while Rennet Casein was down 8.0%, to US$5,430/MT.
Butter Milk Powder also fell 4.4%, to US$1,794/MT.
Lactose saw the night’s only gain, rising 1.9%, with an average price of US$549/MT.
Some 31,691 tonnes of product was traded at the 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.