U.S. Livestock Breeders Hit Hard by China Tariffs
The U.S. high-end livestock breeding industry has suffered significant financial setbacks following China’s retaliatory tariffs implemented in April 2025. These tariffs, a response to U.S. trade actions, have led to the abrupt cancellation of lucrative export deals, particularly with China, a major importer of American animal genetics since its 2018 African swine fever crisis. Dr….
GDT Dairy Prices Dip 0.9% in Season’s Final Auction
The Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction on May 20, 2025, concluded the 2024/25 season with a 0.9% decline in the price index, signaling a cautious market sentiment. Cheddar cheese experienced a significant drop of 9.2%, settling at an average of US$5,007/MT, while lactose plummeted by 13.2% to US$1,398/MT. Whole milk powder, a key product influencing…
Plant-Based Dairy Sales Decline Amid Market Challenges
The plant-based dairy sector is experiencing a notable downturn in the U.S. market, with significant declines across various categories. According to SPINS data for the year ending April 20, 2025, the refrigerated plant-based milk market decreased by 4.1% in dollar sales and 4.5% in unit sales, totaling $2.4 billion. Shelf-stable plant-based milk also saw a…
Danone Leads Dairy Sector in Methane Reduction Efforts
Danone has announced a significant milestone in its environmental sustainability efforts, achieving a 25% reduction in methane emissions from its fresh milk supply chain since 2020. This progress positions the company well on its path to meet its ambitious target of a 30% reduction by 2030, aligning with the Global Methane Pledge. As a founding…
U.S. Milk Futures Surge Amid Seasonal Demand
Class III milk futures in the United States have experienced a significant uptick, driven by seasonal demand and rising cheese prices. The surge is attributed to a combination of factors, including increased cheese exports and a shift in market sentiment that has replaced previous discounts with premiums. This positive momentum is further bolstered by tight…
Kuwait’s FMD Outbreak Cuts Milk Output, Prices Soar
A recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has severely impacted Kuwait’s dairy sector, leading to a significant reduction in milk production and a sharp increase in prices. The disease has affected numerous local dairy farms, causing fresh milk prices to surge by nearly 40%. Dairy companies have reported operational cost increases of 30% to 40%…
Better Dairy Develops Animal-Free Osteopontin
UK-based startup Better Dairy has achieved a significant milestone by producing osteopontin—a bioactive protein prevalent in human milk—through precision fermentation using genetically engineered yeast. Traditionally, osteopontin extraction from cow’s milk is inefficient, requiring thousands of liters to yield just one kilogram, making it scarce and costly. Osteopontin plays a crucial role in infant development, impacting…
Dairy Giants Lag on Methane Cuts, Report Finds
A recent report by the Changing Markets Foundation reveals that major global dairy companies are inadequately addressing methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas contributing significantly to climate change. Animal agriculture accounts for 32% of global methane emissions, with cattle farming being a primary source. Despite this, an assessment of 20 leading dairy and coffee shop…
Dairy prices on fire in recent global trade auction-will it last?
Much to the benefit of New Zealand, whole milk powder is faring better than other global commodities like crude oil at the moment, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. The global dairy trade auction late last week was the second since “Liberation Day”, when US President Donald Trump slapped baseline 10% tariffs on all its trade partners…
Smart Lactation Pad Detects Acetaminophen in Breast Milk
Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have developed a pioneering lactation pad equipped with real-time sensing technology to detect acetaminophen levels in breast milk. This innovation addresses concerns about the transfer of medications from lactating mothers to infants, particularly in regions where dairy products are fortified or derived from human milk sources. Acetaminophen,…