DCA powder benchmarks recorded gains across all commodities in week 9 (February 26), except for lactose, which remained relatively stable. While increases in the whey segment appear to be driven by strong demand for WPC80, short-term demand is also supporting price rises in SMP.
Analysis|Published: Today 05:00 PM CET
According to DCA Market Intelligence, the cheese segment maintained a positive trajectory in week 9 (February 26), with all benchmarks reporting weekly increases, apart from Naturally Ripened Gouda. Price growth was primarily driven by robust demand and supply tightness.
Analysis|Published: Yesterday 12:00 PM CET
Milk production in the United States’ (US) 24 Selected States began the year in a strong position, supported by both herd expansion and higher yields, although it slowed down compared to December. Meanwhile, constrained replacement inventories and an increasing reliance on herd expansion raise questions about the long-term sustainability of output growth. As output expands, falling milk prices and continued consolidation across the sector highlight mounting margin pressure despite abundant supply conditions.
Analysis|Published: Feb 24, 2026
EU SMP benchmarks recovered steadily at the start of 2026, supported by competitive pricing and lower volatility compared with other major exporters, although prices remain below year-earlier levels. Production expanded faster than milk supply in key producing countries, reflecting a strategic reallocation toward powder and increasing market availability. Despite weaker trade with Algeria, EU exports grew strongly, with higher shipments to the Middle East and Southeast Asia offsetting regional disruptions.
Analysis|Published: Feb 19, 2026
According to DCA Market Intelligence, the powder market showed a mostly positive tone in week 8 (February 19), with SMP, SWP, and lactose increasing week on week. Despite ample SMP supply, the positive sentiment was largely linked to upward moves at the GDT, although some market participants viewed the price increase as overly rapid. In contrast, WMP recorded a slight decline.
Analysis|Published: Feb 19, 2026
The cheese market continued its overall positive trajectory in week 8 (February 19), driven primarily by increases in foiled cheese, Frau Antje, and Mozzarella benchmarks. Meanwhile, the Cheddar complex remained mostly stable, alongside Maasdam. Pricing strength has been supported by positive sentiment from the GDT and futures markets. However, production remains strong in the EU, resulting in a persistent price mismatch between buyers and sellers.
