The FAO Dairy Price Index averaged 192.4 points in February, up 10.3 points (5.6 percent) from January and now close to last year’s February value.
International price quotations for all dairy products (represented in the Index) rose in February, with the highest month-on-month rise in percentage terms registered for Skim Milk Powder (SMP), followed by Whole Milk Powder (WMP), cheese and butter.
Strong import demand, especially for supplies from Oceania, drove up SMP, WMP and cheese prices. As for butter, a seasonal drop in production anticipated in Oceania over the coming months was supportive to prices.