Milk News, 19th / Apr / 2024

Milk volumes increased again slightly at the beginning of April. Compared to the previous week, around 0.5% more raw milk was recorded in the 14th calendar week. In the first 14 calendar weeks, 1.1% less raw milk was recorded than in the same period of the previous year. Milk on the spot market lost 1.7 cents/kg week-on-week to 32.5 cents/kg. The picture on the concentrate markets is mixed. Demand for industrial cream is good and prices have risen slightly, while skimmed milk concentrate is in sufficient supply amid weak demand. The dairies' basic payment prices for March - where already published - are stable to slightly rising.

Following the dip shortly after Easter, the volume of molded butter being called off is picking up again. Some food retailers are running special offers on butter, and dairy selling prices are also stable in the Kempten quotation. Outside of the special offers, the 250 gram packet still costs 1.75 euros. The picture is the opposite for block butter. While activities were even more extensive directly after Easter, they are now declining again slightly. However, short-term delivery dates are showing firmer price trends. Prices for long-term delivery contracts are still subject to intensive negotiations. Here, buyers and sellers are sometimes far apart in their bids. The quotation was raised at the lower end of the trading range in Kempten.

The market for cheese remains balanced. Quotations are continuing their stable trend. Calls are again slightly higher compared to the previous week. Due to the higher availability of raw milk, cheese production has increased once again, keeping the market in balance overall. Ripening stocks are still at the same level as before, while the build-up of stocks is rather sluggish, as producers are increasingly receiving call-offs and inquiries from southern Europe.

The market for skimmed milk powder is still not really moving. There are still reports of limited new business. Market participants are particularly disappointed by the very weak demand from China. Manufacturers are concentrating on processing existing contracts in their actual business and production planning. Price quotations remained unchanged from the previous week. On the EEX, contracts for skimmed milk powder have recently risen slightly. The front dates in particular benefited. Demand for whole milk powder is described as subdued. What is produced is what is ordered. There is no evidence of a pressing supply. Prices fell slightly when quoted in Kempten. Food-grade whey powder is quoted unchanged. Demand is limited to a few buyers from both the domestic market and Asia. There is even less demand for animal feed products, whose prices fell by an average of 10 euros per tonne.