GDT sees 5.7% bounce as powders drive on

Milk powders drove a 5.7% lift in the latest Global Dairy Trade (GDT) price index as Tuesday’s auction prices hit their highest level in nine months.

The latest results represent the fifth consecutive increase in the GDT index, with Tuesday's index ending up 26% ahead of the figure that the auction closed 2025 on.

Whole milk powder prices averaged 4.5% higher than the last trading event at €3,302/t, while skimmed milk powder saw an even stronger increase of 9.1% that took prices to €2,772/t.

Anhydrous milk fat saw a 5.7% bump that took prices to €6,109/t and butter increased 6.1% to €5,751/t.

Lesser volumes of cheddar and mozzarella were traded at €5,751/t and €4,206, respective price rises 4.3% and 7.9%.

Two other less traded commodities saw price declines at the auction: butter milk powder with a 0.2% price drop to €2,688/t and lactose at €1,247/t, which was 3.9% down on the previous GDT.

The last auction on 17 February reported a 3.6% lift in the index, with an over 10% increase in butter prices.