MD_DA106 Skim Milk Powder - Europe Report 9 - Released on February 28, 2019 Skim milk powder prices in Western Europe narrowed the price range, firming at the low end, but dropping at the top. The overall take seems to be that the recent gentle upward trend has paused. The market tone is calmer than in recent weeks. Internal EU buyers are less anxious to close deals and more price focused. This is believed to reflect that recent buying activity has been quite active, which left buyers overall better stocked and less in need of new purchases for the balance of the first quarter. Most internal EU demand is now related to contracting for Q2, even beyond. Export interest is increasing, and more deals are moving along in the negotiating process. Buying interest is strong from Asia, the Middle East and some North African countries. The last tender sale was February 19. Successful bids ranged from 1,631 euros to 1,681 euros according to Euolait. While 1,784 MT sold, 1,383 MT remain. The next tender sale will be March 19. Prices for: Europe, All First Sales, Free on Board - Port, Conventional, and Edible Skim Milk Powder Price Range - 1.25% Butterfat; $/MT: 2,175 - 2,325 Information for the period February 18 - March 1, 2019, issued biweekly Secondary Sourced Information: EU SMP production during 2018 was steady with 2017 according to CLAL. SMP exports increased 7.0 percent. Published by: Dairy Market News - Madison, WI Eric Graf, 608.422.8590 Email: eric.graf@ams.usda.gov Additional Dairy Market News Information: Dairy Market News (DMN) by Phone: (608)422-8602 DMN Website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy DMN MARS (MyMarketNews): https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/ DMN Database Portal: https://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home