Foodcom Experts

The butter market is changing direction again in 2026. After sharp declines in the first half of the year, prices in Europe are rebounding from their summer lows, while the U.S. and Oceania remain well-supplied. Find out what’s driving the current recovery and what to expect toward the end of the year.

Limited milk availability is boosting prices for cheese, WMP, SMP, and cream, but not all segments are moving in the same direction. Find out what’s happening with butter, proteins, and Q4 offers.

The beginning of September brings mixed trends to the European dairy market. Limited milk supply is supporting cheese, SMP, and cream, while butter remains under pressure from high inventories. In the protein market, MPC85 maintains the strongest position, while buyers are taking a more cautious approach to WPC80.

Toward the end of August, the European dairy market is showing clear signs of strengthening. Reduced milk availability is supporting prices for whole milk powder (WMP), skim milk powder (SMP), cream, and cheese, while reformulation and protein blends are becoming increasingly important in the protein segment.

Reduced milk availability is having an increasingly strong impact on the European market. Cream, SMP, WMP, and cheese are becoming more expensive, while the situation in the protein segment remains more mixed.

August begins with increased interest in the cheese market and Q4 deliveries. WMP and SMP are holding at higher levels than earlier in the summer, while butter continues to be affected by high inventory levels. The market’s future direction will depend primarily on milk availability and buyer activity in the coming weeks.

Cinnamal, also known as cinnamic aldehyde, is responsible for the intense aroma and characteristic flavor of cinnamon. Thanks to its aromatic, flavor, and biological properties, it is used in the production of food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

Trehalose is a natural disaccharide with exceptional protective and stabilizing properties. Thanks to its ability to bind water and protect biological structures, it is used in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.

At the end of July, the European dairy market was sending mixed signals. SMP strengthened as cheaper SMC became less available, while WMP came under greater pressure from competition and weaker demand. High inventories continued to limit the potential for a rebound in the butter market, while cream prices rose and became more volatile. In the protein segment, individual products moved in different directions.

Thymol is a naturally occurring compound valued for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Find out how it is extracted and why it is used in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

Acesulfame K (E950) is an intense sweetener used in beverages, confectionery, dairy products, and supplements. Find out what its properties are and why it is widely used in food production.

Malic acid (E296) regulates pH, balances sweetness and helps shape the fruity flavour profile of products. Find out about its properties, industrial applications and the key parameters to consider when selecting this raw material for production.