China

Global market insights and on-the-ground observations are shaping the perspective of dairy analyst Stu Davison. He recently returned from China and shares what he saw in the evolving bakery and dairy sectors, and what it could mean for New Zealand farmers and milk prices.

In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Stu about the scale and sophistication of Chinese dairy processing, shifting consumer habits, and how premium ingredients like UHT cream and butter are driving demand. They also discuss global supply growth, New Zealand’s milk price outlook, the shifting focus on ingredient markets over consumer brands, and the role of global trade and currency movements in shaping opportunities for the dairy industry.

If we glance at China’s dairy market in recent years and understand the situation of the largest dairy importer on the earth at the beginning of 2025, we can get some idea of what happened in China and how that will affect the global market in the new year. Words Carey Yu.

This episode explains how New Zealand’s dairy industry can be less reliant on China with demand from Middle East, Africa & South East Asia alongside reduced production from other dairy exporters. Guests include Christina Alvarado, Commercial Manager for Dairy Data and Insights, NZX, Hon. Todd McClay, Minister of Trade and Sjoerd Hofstee, Dairy Journalist, Netherlands.

Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell addresses the two recent revisions to their forecast Farmgate Milk Price for the 2023/24 season.