Fonterra’s $4.2 B Sale Sparks Brand-Control and National Interest Alarm
Fonterra, the New Zealand dairy co-operative owned by approximately 10,000 farmer‐shareholders, has announced plans to sell its global consumer‐goods division—including iconic brands such as Anchor, Mainland, Kāpiti, Fresh’n Fruity, Anmum and Fernleaf—to French dairy giant Lactalis for around NZ$4.2 billion (US$3.8 billion+) as part of its strategy to focus more on premium ingredients and food-service…
Dairy Makes a Comeback as America’s New Superfood Trend
Health-conscious Americans are showing renewed interest in dairy products, particularly in protein-rich and fermented forms such as yogurt, cottage cheese, and kefir. The global dairy-based protein market was valued at ~US$15 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach ~US$22 billion by 2033. Key drivers include: Viral food-hacks (for example, blending cottage cheese into sauces…
“Cow Culture and Commerce: India’s Strategic Dairy Stand
The article by Dr P Harsha Bhargavi explores how the cow is deeply embedded in India’s culture, economy and global dairy trade dynamics. It notes that India’s reluctance to open its dairy market to major exports—particularly from the U.S.—is driven not just by economics but by a cultural value placed on indigenous breeds and dairy traditions. (…
Post-Diwali Farm Challenge: From Consumer to Producer Focus
Retail food inflation in India has turned negative for four consecutive months, ending September 2025, thanks to strong monsoons and improving supply conditions. Yet, this apparent victory for consumers masks a deepening crisis for farmers: many crops — such as maize, soyabean, cotton, millets and pulses — are trading well below their Minimum Support Prices…
Maize Market Prices Fall Far Below MSP Despite Ethanol Push
Despite a ~12 % jump in maize cultivation (surpassing 9.5 million ha) driven by the government’s ethanol-blending push, farmers are collapsing under sharply low market prices. In Madhya Pradesh, maize is selling at model prices of ₹1,140–1,400/ quintal, while the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) is set at ₹2,400/ quintal for 2025-26 — a gap…
FM Pushes Dairy Makers to Pass GST Cuts to Consumers
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged dairy manufacturers to actively engage in reducing retail prices of ghee, butter, and cheese, ensuring that consumers fully benefit from the recent GST rate reductions. The government emphasized that any cut in GST should directly reflect in market prices, preventing price retention at the manufacturer or distributor level. Watch…
Iran’s dairy intake less than half recommended level as prices soar
Iran’s Health Ministry says milk consumption in the country has dropped to less than half the recommended level, warning of rising nutritional risks amid falling purchasing power and food insecurity. Ahmad Esmailzadeh, head of the ministry’s Nutrition Improvement Office, said on Sunday that high prices have driven dairy consumption to record lows, while malnutrition, obesity,…
Global Meat & Dairy Giants Emit More GHGs Than Saudi Arabia
Major meat and dairy corporations are generating combined greenhouse gas emissions comparable to some of the largest fossil fuel producers, according to a recent analysis released ahead of the COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil. The study, Roasting the Planet: Big Meat and Dairy’s Big Emissions, estimates that 45 major meat and dairy companies emitted…
Global dairy trade : Dairy Prices Ease Amid Market Correction
The 21 October 2025 auction of GDT Event 390 revealed a weakening tone in the global dairy‐ingredients market. According to trade commentary, the event “signals a weak outlook for global dairy prices”. The organisers noted that the published price indices had faced a correction process; a notice said the “price indices for Trading Event 390…
Bel Group backs precision fermentation
Global dairy giant Bel Group is betting on precision fermentation as the next big leap in dairy protein innovation. The company has partnered with French start-up Standing Ovation to develop key milk proteins—such as casein—through microbial fermentation rather than relying entirely on animal milk. The move, Bel says, is part of its broader goal to…