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www.age.co.nz Thursday, June 25, 2020
DAIRY FARMING INTO THE FUTURE 2020
Dairy enjoys good times despite COVID Recently released economic data shows dairy farmers continue to make a positive contribution to the economy throughout the COVID crisis, says DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle. Dairy farmers have an important role to play and will be a key component in New Zealandâs post-COVID economic recovery, he says. The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) Economic Update for the Primary Industries released last week shows dairy exports up 12 percent since the start of March, compared to the same time last year. âThe provisional trade data published by Stats NZ show dairy exports were particularly strong from 25 March to 3 June, up $519 million compared to the same time last year due to strong prices supported by the falling NZD,â says the Update. âAlthough activity from Chinese buyers (particularly for WMP and SMP) did weaken temporarily in early March, followed by a dip in Middle Eastern
activity in late April, demand from both regions had since returned.â âThis is good news, and dairy farmers and workers throughout the dairy value chain can be proud of the valuable contribution they have made as essential workers throughout lockdown,â says Dr Mackle. The Update says that âDespite recent commodity price falls, dairy companies had contracted a high percentage of the 2019/20 seasonâs milk supply and will be able to maintain current season milk prices at historically high levels, which will support on-farm profitability in the short term.â
Weakness in the global consumer market will flow on to farmgate returns.
has been compounded by the limited processing capacity at meat works.â Looking ahead to the 2020/21 season, the Update says the impact of declining dairy export commodity prices and weakness in dairy foodservice and consumer markets globally, will ultimately weaken processor profitability and therefore flow on to farmgate returns.
However, the Update does come with a warning for the future.
âWeighted average prices on the Global Dairy Trade platform have fallen 15 percent (in USD terms) since the end of January, and are now 13 percent lower than at the same time last year.
âThe deteriorating supply and demand outlook has pushed the upcoming seasonâs price outlook significantly lower since January, with flow on effects to farm level profitability,â it says.
âOver the same period, NZX farmgate milk price futures for the 2020/21 season have fallen 14 percent from NZ$7.30 per kg milk solid to $6.30 (Figure 17).
âDrought conditions have also affected some key dairying regions and contributed to feed shortages. This
âThis is consistent with various bank forecasts for the 2020/21 season, which currently fall in a range between
$5.60 and $6.50 per kg of milk solids. âThis will be close to, and in many cases below, farmsâ break-even levels for profitability, and has the potential to undermine the financial viability of some marginal and highly indebted farm businesses. âRecovery for dairy may also be affected by the impact of increased subsidies in the US and EU. While the purpose of these subsidies is to provide economic stability, support rural communities and protect food supplies, there is risk that in the longer-term they may compound the negative economic impact of COVID-19 and increase volatility in markets by encouraging increased global production.â
TOGETHER WE WILL ENDURE Farming is the backbone of a proud nation carved out by our early pioneersâ strength, determination and hard work. Resilience and an inherent belief in a better way forward still driveâs our farmers desire and need for perpetual innovation. These same qualities are the foundation of Zimmatic. We are proud to lead the way in irrigation technology and to be part of the enduring legacy our farmers leave for future generations. Image courtesy of Christchurch City Libraries
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