European Liquid Dairy Prices Remained Elevated in September

European liquid dairy prices held onto much of their earlier strength during September. The market did not move uniformly across product categories: raw milk broadly settled at higher levels, while skimmed milk and skimmed milk concentrate recorded more variable conditions toward the end of the month.

Raw milk remained relatively expensive throughout the period, but its price development showed signs of stabilisation. This kept the category at a firm level even as movements in other liquid dairy products became more mixed. The source gives no specific price figures for raw milk.

Skimmed milk followed a different path. Its prices became more volatile late in September, in contrast with the steadier pattern for raw milk. No numerical measure of the changes was provided. Skimmed milk concentrate, or SMC, also experienced fluctuations during the month.

Skimmed whey concentrate, known as SWC, retained a firm position. Its performance differed from that of skimmed milk and SMC, and the source reports neither specific SWC prices nor trading volumes. The contrasting movements applied to products operating within the same wider European supply environment.

Trade between European Union markets was stronger during the period. This activity helped absorb larger dairy volumes and supported a balance between regional supply and demand. The movement of products between EU markets was described as particularly relevant while milk production was nearing its seasonal decline.

The approaching reduction in European milk output was identified as an important supply factor for processors and buyers. It could make raw-milk availability tighter in the period ahead, while differences among raw milk, skimmed milk, SMC and SWC continued to shape market conditions. By the end of September, prices remained high overall, supported by raw milk and SWC, but the market was less consistent because of the greater volatility in skimmed milk and SMC.