[7 November/NZ Herald]

Dairy product prices slid at the latest Global Dairy Trade auction, led down by a further fall in the key whole milk powder price. Regular grade whole milk powder to ship in January fell by a larger-than-expected 6.4 per cent, NZX dairy analyst Amy Castleton noted that WMP offer volumes are forecast to peak at the next GDT event but expectations of continued milk supply growth from New Zealand are likely to continue put pressure on whole milk powder prices. The latest GDT auction saw cheddar, rennet casein, lactose, butter, anhydrous milk fat prices all declined. Butter milk powder, and skim milk powder climbed.  The overall index price fell 2% from the last auction three weeks ago to an average price of USD2,851 per tonne.