Media Release
3 December 2008
Latest Globaldairytrade Event Sees Further Softness
The December trading event for Fonterra’s internet-based sales platform, globalDairyTrade, concluded at 3.10 am this
morning (NZT), with the results reflecting a further softening in international dairy prices.
The trading manager, CRA International, advised Fonterra that the average price achieved across all products and
contract periods for Whole Milk Powder (WMP) was US$2,223 per tonne FAS New Zealand Port. This was 14 per cent lower
than for the previous trading event in November. Prices ranged from US$2,045 per tonne FAS to US$2,455 per tonne FAS.
“The current economic crisis has resulted in a significant drop in the demand for dairy commodities, and a continued
decline in prices was expected,” said Guy Roper, Fonterra’s Commercial Director of GlobalTrade. “There will continue to
be downward pressure on prices, until either the supply of product declines, or buyers have confidence that the global
economic situation will improve.”
Since July, WMP prices are down 49 per cent. During the same period, the United States Department of Agriculture has
reported a 45 per cent decline in EU Skim Milk Powder (SMP) prices.
The prices of other agricultural commodities have fallen by similar amounts. Since their mid-year peaks, the prices of
barley, maize, soybean meal and wheat have fallen between 40 per cent and 55 per cent. This is illustrated in the chart
(below), in which each price has been re-based to equal 100 in their peak month.
The next globalDairyTrade trading event will be held on 6 January 2009. See www.globaldairytrade.info for more details.
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