Apart from the ongoing turbulence in the US cheese market, global dairy markets have remained calm as COVID-19 infections rise and stringent movement restrictions return. Dairy market fundamentals are however mixed across major producers and regional factors continue to influence the value directions in commodities.
The effects of the first wave of COVID outbreaks – from lockdowns and their roll-back – had limited overall effect on dairy demand, helped by resilience of sales through grocery channels. This was also cushioned in Europe by summer demand for cream which avoided large butter surpluses.
Second wave case outbreaks are far larger in scale than in Q2-2020, yet governments will take a mixed in response in applying restrictions – some avoiding unpopular lockdowns. The adequacy of retail demand will be tested as governments now offer less income support and the closure of food service outlets will weaken cream use. There is an uncertain volume impact of more cautious discretionary spending on the dairy category. Meanwhile, commodity prices have recovered and dairy commodity buyers in price-sensitive export markets will face a more complex economic outlook and may not have the need or incentive to restock.
The risk of further stock-build in butterfat depends on the resilience of cheese demand in the EU and US as well as the prospects for increased exports. There will be an ongoing slow and bumpy recovery in food service channels while business and tourism travel and events will be limited through much of 2021.
Milk growth picked up recently but won’t be sustained through coming months (outside the US) as weather and feed costs will start to impact milk production in several regions.
Global trade remained ahead of the prior year in August but at a slower pace than each of the previous two months. The year-on-year growth across major commodity categories was lower in most cases. Butterfat trade was most impacted – August trade fell by a combined 11%.
Skim Milk Powder
Spot prices for SMP have been mixed recently – steady in NZ since mid-September, weaker in the US as milk supply expands, and firmer in the EU.
Whole Milk Powder
Prices for WMP have stabilized in the past few months, with EU and NZ product converging and trading around the US$3,000 mark. At the earliest October GDT Event, WMP values gained, steadying at the latest event.
Cheese
Cheese values in the US gained through October, while NZ and EU prices have steadied with EU values remaining competitive. US Q1-2021 futures prices have also increased with the rampant spot market, but once additional supplies are available, futures prices suggest a large correction
Butter
Butterfat trade fell 10.8% in overall terms, pulled lower than the prior month’s decline by a 20% fall in AMF trade, while butter trade worsened a little to fall 6.8%. This came despite a continuing slide in NZ average shipped prices, while EU values continued to increase
Whey
Whey product values were steady through October and remain under the complex influences of COVID-19 on milk supplies, the prospects for increasing cheese output, relative SMP prices and weak demand for high-concentrate products as infant formula trade remained subdued and fitness markets have been closed-down due to movement restrictions.
By Dustin Boughton, Procurement Director, Maxum Foods – Your partner in dairy
Graph Reference: Fresh Agenda
