The FAO Dairy Price Index averaged 105.3 points in
November, up 0.9 points (0.9 percent) month-on-month, continuing the upward trend registered in recent months and nearing an 18-month record high. The latest rise was largely driven by firmer butter and cheese prices, reflecting steady increases in global
import demand and a surge in retail sales in Europe coinciding with the region’s milk production reaching seasonal lows. By contrast, following six months of consecutive increases, skim milk powder prices dropped due to a slower pace of purchases in Asia,
especially China, coupled with increased global export availabilities, including India’s powder surpluses. Despite a rise in demand for spot supplies from the Middle East and North Africa, especially Algeria, smaller purchases by China weighed on whole milk
powder price quotations.