Dairy market to improve in 2017, according to Rabobank

World prices were down 22.4 per cent year on year, with prices close to one third below February 2014 peaks.
Meanwhile, the agricultural money maker appears to be property, with several large southeast Australian farms hitting the market in recent weeks, attracting interest from Asian firms, local corporates and traditional farming families.
Rabobank Victorian manager Hamish McAlpin said investors were interested in large “trophy” properties, with reliable production systems and fully developed land.
The boom in sales follows analyst predictions earlier this year that the agri property market would kick off this year, and so far the predictions are ringing true.
In horticulture, industry bodies continue to fight the good fight to regenerate demand for product and make the most of export opportunities.
This week Horticulture Innovation Australia announced it had signed a $6 million research deal with Indian Government, and despite a decline in the sector, fresh juice exports have been tipped to help stimulate the fruit and vegetable industry.
According to the Food Revolution Group, which operates a fruit and vegetable processing facility, manufacturing a range of juices, fibres, infused fruits and waters and bioactives will help boost demand for primary production.
Chief executive Bill Niko­lovski rallied the troops, telling delegates at the Citrus Market Outlook Forum last month that consumers concerned about sugar levels and preservatives in juice could be won back if their concerns were properly addressed.