The FAO Dairy Price Index averaged 104.4 points in
October, up 2.2 points (2.2 percent) from September, marking the fifth consecutive monthly increase and lifting the index 3.6 points (3.5 percent) above its value in the corresponding month last year. In October, price quotations for all dairy products represented
in the index rose, with cheese rising the most, followed by skim milk powder, whole milk powder and butter. Price increases in October reflected some degree of market tightening for near-term deliveries, underpinned by robust import demand from Asian and Middle
Eastern markets amidst expectations for less export availabilities from Oceania later this year when production will be declining seasonally. In addition, increases in internal demand for future deliveries in Europe, where production is nearing its seasonal
low, also contributed to spot market tightening and price strengthening.