DCA benchmarks observed mixed results in week 15. Milk powders showed a downward trend across all products, with both skimmed and whole variants declining, and the price gap between food and feed segments widening. In contrast, the whey complex continued to strengthen, supported by steady increases in both food and feed-grade products. Market sentiment has been affected by geopolitical uncertainty, although some participants see opportunities as EU-origin products gain competitiveness in key export markets.
Analysis|Published: Apr 9, 2026
According to DCA Market Intelligence, cheese markets continued to decline on week 15, with most segments showing a modest downward correction. Foil cheeses such as Gouda, Edam, and Mozzarella all moved lower, although Gouda proved relatively more resilient than others. The Cheddar market experienced slightly stronger pressure, influenced in part by increased competition, while Emmentaler showed a more pronounced and volatile decline. Overall, weak demand persists, with buyers focusing on short-term needs and avoiding longer-term commitments.
Analysis|Published: Apr 8, 2026
Whey protein markets have strengthened in early 2026, driven by sustained demand for high-protein ingredients and limited expansion in effective supply. While milk production increased across key regions, the availability of whey protein concentrates did not increase at the same rate. At the same time, processors increasingly prioritized high-concentration products, reshaping allocation decisions and supporting price levels in premium segments. As domestic demand absorbs most of the available supply, trade flows have become more value-driven, contributing to a more segmented and demand-led market structure.
Analysis|Published: Mar 27, 2026
Cheese benchmarks showed a general downward correction in week 13 (March 26), with Gouda, Edam, Mozzarella, Cheddar, and Emmentaler all declining week-on-week, although most remain above last month’s levels. Mozzarella demand in the EU persists, but weaker export activity, while the Cheddar complex continued to soften. Overall, market sentiment is mixed, with cautious buyers and uncertainty about post-Easter demand.
Analysis|Published: Mar 27, 2026
Milk powder markets showed mixed movements, with SMP food prices rising slightly while SMP feed and WMP declined, the latter reflecting weakness in the milkfat segment. Despite these weekly fluctuations, milk powders remain significantly higher than last month, although market volatility persists. Meanwhile, whey powder prices have increased across both food and feed segments, supported by competition with SMP for drying capacity and high prices of whey protein concentrates.
Analysis|Published: Mar 19, 2026
The powder market observed a remarkable increase in week 12 (March 19). The value of milk’s protein component has increased substantially, with SMP observing the highest absolute weekly increase and SWP the highest percentage increase. WMP prices grew at a more moderate pace, with increases in the protein component partly offset by the declining fat prices. Further increases were observed in lactose, driven by a good demand from baby food and medical segments.
