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Global dairy prices continue to bounce around the bottom in latest auction; GDT Index down 1.4%; Wholemilk powder up 0.7%

Rural News
Global dairy prices continue to bounce around the bottom in latest auction; GDT Index down 1.4%; Wholemilk powder up 0.7%

By David Hargreaves

There was not much encouragement for the beleaguered dairy sector from the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction, with prices flat at low levels.

The GDT Index dropped 1.4%, with butter and skim milk powder (SMP) prices particularly, weakening. The key wholemilk power (WMP) prices gained overall by 0.7%, however, longer dated contracts were weaker, which sends discouraging signals about future demand for the product.

ANZ Agri economist Con Williams and senior FX strategist Sam Tuck in a commentary headed: "On the back foot still" said the auction result was "weak".

"Price weakness centred on the SMP/milkfat stream highlighting the overhang of Northern Hemisphere product from their spring flush continues to provide buyers with plenty of options and time. SMP only traded at US$1,676/t, which is below European intervention levels of US$1,800-$1,900/t.

"European intervention is expected to be close to full by mid-year after volumes to be accepted were earlier doubled to 218,000MT. This will hang over the market for some time keeping prices pinned down."

They said the small price increases for WMP near-term contract periods indicated that the seasonal low in New Zealand supply was providing some support.

However, the decline in later-delivery contract period prices indicated that buyers were "in no hurry to lock-in higher priced product".

"Buyers appear comfortable that, come the start of the new season, there will still be plentiful product available from either New Zealand, or elsewhere. Time will tell.

"The weak result during the seasonal low for GDT supply and on-going NZD strength remains a concern.

"Both factors will apply pressure to Fonterra’s opening milk price forecast at the end of the month. This will ensure cash flow pressure and spending constraints on the sector for some time to come." See here for the full dairy payout history.

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5 Comments

Look at what AUD/NZD has done over the past 2-3 weeks. Nearly 5 big figures lower despite rallying iron ore prices and fairly stable dairy prices. Maybe the OCR does have an effect eh? NZ monetary conditions index back to levels seen before the March RBNZ cut. What did they expect? The April OCR decision continues to be a head scratcher!

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Yeah and Wheely on top of it said on the day he wanted a lower dollar........
With the moves in fx I presume the NZ $ GDT result showed a larger fall.

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I still don't understand why when oil prices come down the price of petrol and diesel ( with all its taxes) drops dramatically

When the producer price of milk comes down ........... the retail price goes UP !

And those fat-cat rogues at Fonterra report record profits , while the poor old farmer is left staring down a barrel and risks losing his farm and life's work

WTF ?

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Who would expect an increase in the GDT auction with such little demand from China and production in the EU still increasing dramatically?
I thought it would decline further if anything.

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I like the image you used in the article. Those udders looked sucked dry, bit like how farmers are feeling ;).

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