Lactose
Strong demand pushes prices up in the Northern hemisphere
Europe
Demand for standardization tightens the market
Despite a widening trading range EU lactose prices are overall stable. Product is nowadays mostly traded at EUR 1300-1400 FOB, with some first tier brands changing hands above the top end of that range. Product availability is not excessive due to good demand. Demand for standardization tends to peak in Q2 and surplus milk volumes are quite significant the world over.
Americas
Strong demand pushes prices up
US origins are still most competitive in export markets although the gap with EU origins is narrowing. Next to solid demand domestically US lactose is also popular amongst buyers in Latin America and China. In China it seems like customers increasingly switch from using permeate for standardization towards lactose. Prices are inevitably moving up to a trading range of USD 0.60-0.70/lb (1435-1545/t) ex works currently.
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