Global dairy prices jump as auction volumes slide
GDT index up 6.7% at first sale of the month
6 February 2026
1 minute read
By: International milk prices rose while volumes dropped in this month's first Global Dairy Trade auction held by GDT Events on Tuesday, reported Reuters.
The GDT Price Index climbed 6.7%, with an average selling price of $3,830 per metric ton.
The index had risen 1.5% at the previous sale, according to GDT Events.
A total of 24,034 tons was sold at the latest auction, falling 13.6% from the previous one, the auction platform said on its website.
The auctions are held twice a month, with the next one scheduled for February 17.
GDT Events is part-owned by New Zealand’s Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd, but operates independently from the dairy giant.
The New Zealand milk co-operative, which is owned by about 10,500 farmers, controls nearly a third of the world dairy trade.
The auction results can affect the New Zealand dollar as the dairy sector generates more than 7% of the nation's gross domestic product.
US-listed CRA International Inc is the trading manager for the twice-monthly Global Dairy Trade auction.
