The positive Global Dairy Trade (GDT) trends at the end of 2018 have continued into 2019, with average dairy prices rising 2.8% at this week’s auction in New Zealand.

A lower quantity of product was sold, with 167 bidders securing 28,651t. The average price is now $2,986/t, with improvements for both fat and powder prices.

Skim milk powder (SMP) prices were well up almost 8% to $2,201/t. Whole milk powders (WMP) rose by 1.2% to $2,705/t.

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Butter prices also improved, moving above the $4,000 mark to $4,076/t. Cheddar prices rose by 3.2% to $3,371/t.