Milk, Dairy Prices Down Globally

By CnAgri2012-07-10 18:53:29 Print

A slow squeeze is likely to start reducing pressure on U.S. dairy producers through the rest of 2012 with a recovery gaining legs in early 2013. This is a key theme of the latest quarterly dairy report from Rabobank's Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory group.

Though the market experienced a small rally in June, as buyers moved to cover short term needs, U.S. milk prices remained down twenty three percent overall, compared to this time last year.

Producer milk prices in the U.S. have fallen below breakeven levels in 2012 due to a wave of growth in the global milk supply. This substantial global price reduction has led to financial difficulties for producers who have not locked-in their feed purchases, or who do not grow their own feed. In the report, Rabobank outlines the expectation that global supply growth will lose momentum in coming months, as farmers outside the US see a further reduction in milk prices and unusually favorable weather reverts to more consistent patterns.

Demand is expected to remain lackluster in the face of a weak global economy with the recovery being slowed by significant, but not alarming, stocks. As 2012 progresses and the condition of the international market improves, there should be a slow recovery in milk prices for farmers in the U.S. There is also the prospect of an acceleration of that improvement in early 2013.