According to the results of the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction held on 17 March 2026, the dairy price index rose by 0.1% compared with the previous auction. The weighted average price stood at $4,330/t.
In total, 19,500 tonnes of dairy products were sold at the auction, mainly whole milk powder (WMP) and skimmed milk powder (SMP).
Price trends by category
The following changes have been recorded for the main dairy products:
- whole milk powder (WMP) — down 4.0% to $3,709/t;
- skimmed milk powder (SMP) — up 5.2% to $3,409/t;
- butter — down 0.9% to $6,868/t;
- milk fat (AMF) — up 6.4% to $7,602/t;
- Cheddar cheese — a slight increase of 0.1% to $4,925 per tonne.
Trading volume trends
Sales volumes on the GDT platform have shown cyclical trends over the past three years, with periodic ups and downs.
Sales volumes typically fluctuate between 20,000 and 40,000 tonnes; however, on 17 March 2026, a figure of 19,500 tonnes was recorded, indicating a certain degree of recovery following the previous decline.
Price trends
The weighted average prices for key dairy products (including butter, SMP and WMP) between March 2023 and March 2026 show an overall upward trend based on the latest trading data.
Details of the tender process
GDT auctions are held twice a month — on the first and third Tuesday.
Six contract periods are available at each auction, corresponding to future deliveries.
Changes in the GDT index reflect trends between auctions and take into account not only prices but also volumes of produce, enabling a more accurate assessment of market trends.
Next auction
The next Global Dairy Trade auction is scheduled for 7 April 2026.
Source: AHDB
