Whole milk powder (WMP) exports peaked in March 2015 but had a sharp fall in April of 42%, and have not yet recovered. Exports of WMP in July saw a slight uplift, though they are still well down from export volumes at the start of the year.
In July, export volumes of all other dairy products from New Zealand had fallen from volumes in January. However, like WMP, export volumes of most products improved in July. Skim milk powder (SMP) and anhydrous milk fat (AMF) had volume increases from June to July of 39% and 45% respectively. Casein exports are down slightly, though this is not a large product market for New Zealand.
Prices have also fallen throughout 2015. Prices are down 32% from what they were in January. When compared with January 2014, prices in July 2015 were down 55%. The falls in both volumes and prices indicates a significant fall in the overall value of dairy products
Volumes of some of New Zealand's major dairy export products have fallen from volumes traded over the same January to July period in 2014. WMP and AMF fell by 5% and 7% respectively. SMP, however, grew by 13% on a period-to-period comparison. Cheese export volumes have grown by 20%.
China continues to be New Zealand’s biggest export market for dairy. Volumes are down from what they were early in the year but have increased from their low in May. New Zealand exported 34,742 tonnes worth of dairy products to China in July 2015.
