The latest Situation and Outlook report indicates that Australia’s national milk production has steadied, with rainfall offsetting dry conditions and helping curb higher feed costs.
After a difficult start to the 2019/2020 season for many farmers, falling milk production has moderated to a decline of just 3.7 percent to date. Production volumes in both December and January exceeded expectations, with December seeing the first year on year increase in milk production in 18 months.
Supply and demand of dairy products is yet to be materially impacted by the developing Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, although most dairy commodities prices have trended lower in recent weeks.
Face-to-face trade and business development activities have been widely disrupted, as has shipping and distribution, while the effect on underlying demand is uncertain.
