News: FSF Fonterra forecasts milk collection in New Zealand for 2016/17 season down 3%

June 17 (Reuters) - Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd (FCG) :

• Forecast Fonterra milk collection in New Zealand for the 2016/17 season down 3%
• Season to date, Fonterra New Zealand milk collection decreased 3%
• "Dairy exports remain strong for New Zealand, Australia and Europe but the United States is down largely due to increased domestic demand"
• "China, Asia and Latin America continue to see strong growth in dairy imports, while the Middle East and Africa imports have softened"
• Total New Zealand milk production decreased 3% in April compared to the same month last year
• Australia production in April decreased 3%
• Australia production for the 12 months to April decreased 1% compared to the same period the previous year
• Total New Zealand dairy exports in April increased 13% compared to the same month last year
• Australia production has been impacted by dry conditions across many dairying Regions, especially Victoria, and the low milk price environment
• Fonterra's milk collection across New Zealand in may was 6% higher than may last season
• Australia milk collection in May reached 7.7 million kgms, 18% lower than May last season
• In New Zealand for the full 2015/16 season, milk collection reached 1.57 billion kgms, 3% behind the 2014/15 season