Dairy Outlook is a service of FAO’s
Trade and Markets Division
The
FAO Dairy Price Index averaged almost 192 points in October, down 0.7 percent (1.4 points) from the previous month, representing the second consecutive month of decline but still 5.6 percent above its level in the corresponding month last year. The October
decline was the result of notably lower quotations for cheese, more than offsetting increases in those for Skim Milk Powder (SMP) and Whole Milk Powder (WMP). Increased export availabilities in New Zealand were the principal factor behind the latest decline
in cheese price quotations. By contrast, strong import demand, especially from Asia for short-term deliveries, underpinned the price increases of SMP and WMP. After four months of continuous decline, butter prices began to stabilize, reflecting renewed import
interests.