Dairy product prices rise 3.1 percent in GDT auction, biggest gain in 5 months

Prices of dairy products in Fonterra’s latest GlobalDairyTrade auction rose by the most in five months, adding to positive sentiment that has pushed the kiwi dollar to near a 2 ½-year high.

The GDT-TWI Price Index rose 3.1

percent compared to the last sale two weeks ago, the biggest increase since the Sept. 4 sale and the fifth straight gain. The average winning price rose to US$3,756 a metric tonne. Whole milk powder, the biggest product by volume, led the advance, rising 5.8 percent to US$3,654 a tonne.

Rising prices for New Zealand’s biggest export commodity follow a raft of figures showing the economy is performing well relative to the US, Europe and Australia, stoking demand for the New Zealand dollar. The kiwi climbed to 84.80 US cents from 84.38 cents at 5pm in Wellington yesterday and the trade-weighted index rose above 77 from 76.78.

The currency recovered from a sharp sell-off in Asia yesterday that had been driven by reports China’s quarantine administration destroyed three brands of locally-produced milk powder. Fonterra subsequently said its products weren’t involved.

The total volume of dairy products sold at the latest auction was 33,467 tonnes, down from 38,232 tonnes a fortnight ago.

The price of anhydrous milk fat rose 4 percent to US$3,635 a tonne and butter milk powder rose 4.1 percent to US$3,318 a tonne. Butter traded at US$3,726 a tonne and cheddar gained 1.8 percent to US$3,554 a tonne.

Lactose wasn’t offered. Milk protein concentrate fell 0.2 percent to US$6,088 a tonne. Rennet casein rose 0.8 percent to US$8,829 a tonne and skim milk powder rose 1 percent to US$3,592 a tonne.

There were 135 winning bidders over 12 rounds. There were 216 participating bidders out of a total number of qualified bidders of 771.