The Latest: October - 2025
Falling International Prices Spooked the U.S. Powder Market
Falling international prices spooked the U.S. milk powder market. At this week’s Global Dairy Trade (GDT) Pulse auction, skim milk powder (SMP) prices fell 0.7% from last week’s GDT event, dropping to a 13-month low of $2,530 per metric ton, equal to nonfat dry milk (NDM) at around $1.22 per pound. Whole milk powder prices slipped 0.9% to a one-year low. Manufacturers in Europe and Oceania are flush with milk, and dryers are running hard.
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This weeks rise in cheese prices in an already lofty market are truly impressive. Last week’s Cold Storage report showed an astounding drawdown in cheese inventories, and the spot markets suggest that fresh supplies are tight.
View reportDespite the rough week in the dairy pits, dairy product prices and Class III values in particular will soon find their footing.
View reportThe spot markets have been buoyed by robust near-term fundamentals. However, dairy futures were far from exuberant this week and some new clouds have moved onto the horizon.
View reportThe stock market suffered its worst losses of the year on Monday but the U.S. dairy markets remain firmly supported as milk tightens. On Monday, USDA will publish its much-anticipated Acreage and Crop Production reports. Next week could be volatile.
View reportAlthough the bulls did not assert themselves this week, the bears are not in charge. Aside from the break from the extreme heat, all the factors that propelled the markets to their recent peak remain in play.
View reportDairy producers would surely prefer the energy of the early-stage rally to today’s more plodding progress. The plateau is a sign of healthy markets at work.
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