In its latest Global Dairy Update, Fonterra reports milk production of 1,570m kgMS in the 2025-26 season, up +4.1% on the season prior. The coop’s milk output rose 5.8% YOY to 81.5m kgMS in May, the biggest May output on record due to favourable pasture conditions.

In the North Island, production rose 7.7% YOY in May, due to good pasture conditions and a low year-ago comparable with seasonal intake finishing +3.5% ahead of the prior year. In the South Island, May output rose 4.1% to 42.2m kgMS due to favourable weather. South Island production rose 4.8% above the prior season.