Fonterra slashes forecast milk price, again
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Dairy prices have fallen to their lowest level in almost three years.
Fonterra's Global Dairy Trade-trade weighted index, which covers a range of 30 products and contract periods on offer, dropped 6.4%, with an average selling price of US$2,618 per tonne.
It was the third consecutive fall in the index at the fortnightly auctions. So far this year there have been only two rises out of the 10 auctions.
Prices fell for most dairy products on offer, with the largest decline seen in anhydrous milk fat, which fell 11.9%. Skim and milk powder also posted hefty falls, while rennet casein was the only one of the main products to manage a lift.
SMP dropped 5.4% to US$2,573/tonne while WMP dropped 9% to US$2546/tonne.
The next GDT auction is on June 5.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.
Fears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least.