7 Feb 2019

Dairy prices leap 6.7%

10:16 am on 7 February 2019

Dairy prices have risen to their highest level in seven months at the latest global auction.

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Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

The average price was up 6.7 percent to $US3265 ($NZ4778) a tonne - the fifth rise in a row.

It follows a 4.2 percent rise in the previous auction two weeks ago and was the strongest single rise in auction prices in more than two years.

Dairy prices have been rising since late November when they hit a two-year low because of an oversupply on world markets.

Global Dairy prices have risen 6.7 percent in the latest auction.

Global Dairy prices have risen 6.7 percent in the latest auction. Graphic: GDT

The price for whole milk powder, which has a key influence of farmer payouts, rose 8.4 percent at $US3027 a tonne.

Prices for most other products offered rose with big gains for skim milk powder and butter.

The amount of produce sold fell 16.4 percent on the last auction, which is likely to have been a factor in the strength of price rises.