Prices
After recording a 2.7% increase in July, the GDT average price index fell back by 2.6% at the next event held at the beginning of August. At the latest auction, held on 20th August, the index appears to have stabilised, falling only marginally by 0.2% to $3,255. WMP actually recorded an increase by 2.1% to $3,100 per tonne, whilst butter dropped by a sizeable -3.4%. SMP was marginally down by -0.3%. We are now entering New Zealand’s spring peak and therefore volumes on offer are increasing considerably, contributing to the decline in prices.
Closer to home, cheese makers are fairing much better than liquid milk suppliers which is reflecting in the farmgate price changes (or not) for September, with many cheese processors standing-on on the back of stable market values;
- Arla has held its price for the 7th consecutive month. Its standard manufacturing and liquid price remain at 30.22ppl and 29.05ppl respectively for September.
- Also maintaining their prices for the 7th consecutive month are Saputo Dairy (formerly Dairy Crest, Davidstow) and Muller. Saputo’s standard manufacturing price remains at 29.9ppl and its liquid at 28.82ppl. Muller’s standard liquid price is held at 26.75ppl.
- First Milk has also announced its price will also stand-on for September which sees the standard manufacturing price remaining at 28.37ppl and the liquid at 27.45ppl.
- Barbers, Belton Cheese and South Caernarfon Dairies have also all held their prices for September.
- In contrast Glanbia Cheese suppliers will receive a 1ppl reduction to their standard manufacturing litre bringing it down to 27ppl
- Freshways has reduced its base price to 24.4ppl which sees the liquid standard litre fall by a whopping 2.06ppl to 25ppl.
- Meadow Foods and Pensworth Dairies have made price reductions of 1.75ppl and 1.35ppl respectively, cutting their standard liquid price to 25ppl and 24ppl.
Indonesian Tariffs
Earlier in the month the Indonesian government announced proposals to increase import tariffs on EU dairy products. This would see the tariff rate rise from the current 5% to 25% and would make nearly all EU products uncompetitive. Currently the EU accounts for almost 40% of all Indonesian imports. The reason for the increased tariffs is in retaliation to EU plans to introduce anti-subsidy duties on palm biodiesel from Indonesia from early in September. In 2018 the EU exported 164,000 tonnes of milk product, mainly whey and milk powders, valuing £221 million to Indonesia. The country is the fourth largest export market for EU dairy products.