Prices articles — Vesper Blog

3,500+ fish & seafood prices from Undercurrent are now live on Vesper

Discover 3,500+ fish and seafood price series from Undercurrent now available in Vesper, helping procurement teams budget, benchmark and ...

Vesper x Barchart partnership: US grains data just got more granular

Vesper and Barchart partner to bring granular US grains pricing data into one platform, including state and county-level insights...

Why MPC isn't a clean swap for WPC80, but buyers are reaching for it anyway

As WPC80 hits historic highs, MPC is catching the spillover bid. See where the swap actually works, why prices are moving and what's next.

How highly accurate commodity forecasts are built - inside Vesper’s methodology

How to estimate US WPC80 instant and WPI prices from dry whey and Class III milk, and where the proxy formulas break.

How the Middle East conflict reshaped US dairy commodity prices in weeks

When war broke out in the Middle East in March 2026, oil surged, supply chains scrambled, and dairy prices moved in ways that had...

US NFDM prices surged 90% in five months. Here's what's next.

From $1.18/lb in early December 2025 to a record of $2.2625/lb on May 4, 2026. The rally pushed NFDM to its highest level in 12 years.

Filling a gap in US dairy: the Vesper US SMP price benchmark

This US SMP price benchmark fills a gap in public US dairy reporting. Compare US, EU, and Oceania SMP side by side, with forecasts on each.

How WPC80 protein forecasts work

What actually goes into a WPC80 protein forecast? Foundation models, fundamentals, technical indicators, and the data behind it.

Inside the CME spot call: from daily settlement price to a forward-looking price forecast

how CME spot call prices work, who in US dairy uses them, and how Vesper visualizes the same data with a forecast.

Why procurement managers pair USDA prices with price forecasts

USDA prices anchor your contracts but lag the market by weeks. See how an AI price forecast on the same USDA series turns a backward-looking

What the CBOT price really tells you (and what It doesn’t)

The CBOT price is an auction, not a forecast. See what the settle really tells US buyers, what it doesn't, and what to pair it with.

Why futures prices are not forecasts (and what a real forecasts looks like)

A futures curve is not a forecast, even when they look alike on a screen. Here's the distinction that matters for CBOT and CME procurement.

How the rise of GLP-1 is reshaping the dairy protein industry

How GLP-1 weight loss drugs are reshaping dairy protein demand and whey pricing: what buyers, sellers, and traders need to know.

Why GLP-1 is becoming a structural headwind for sugar

GLP-1 adoption is creating a structural headwind for sugar demand. Explore consumption shifts, market signals, and short-term price outlook.

The US dairy herd replacement math that should worry every buyer

The US dairy herd is at its largest since 1993. But replacement heifer inventory just hit a record low. The math behind today's milk...

US butter stocks hit a 17% deficit despite record production. Here's what happened.

US butter production hit all-time highs in 2025 and early 2026. Stocks still fell 17% below prior-year levels. Read how record exports and...

WPC80 in 2026: why US buyers can't find product at any price

US WPC80 prices doubled from $5.80/lb to over $10.50/lb in six months. GLP-1 demand, production constraints, and a global investment...

The US dry whey market in 2025: How China tariffs and a protein boom pulled prices in opposite directions

Why the US dry whey market in 2025 was caught between trade tariffs with China and a protein boom. Here's the month-by-month breakdown.

US Butter Prices in 2025: From $2.50 to $1.45 in 12 Months

US butter prices fell 42% in 2025 as record milk fat production collided with weakening global demand. Here's the month-by-month story.

US cheese in 2025: 27% price drop in 12 months

How record US cheese production, new facility capacity, and European competition created a 27% price decline in 2025. A Month-by-month view.

US NFDM in 2025: How tariffs and global oversupply crushed the most export-dependent US dairy product

A month-by-month breakdown of why US NFDM and SMP prices collapsed in 2025 despite lower production. Tariffs and structural shifts explained.

US whey protein prices in 2025: How GLP-1 and the protein trend broke $10/lb for the first time

How changed consumer behaviour pushed US whey protein prices above the $10/lb mark. A month-by-month breakdown for procurement teams.

Announcing our new partnership with Episode3: Australian Red Meat Market reports now live on Vesper

Each month, Episode 3 publishes the Australian Red Meat Market Report directly on Vesper. The report covers two sections: Beef and Lamb.

Major sports nutrition brands are telling consumers why whey prices are going up in 2026

WPC80 prices have quadrupled in three years. Here's why XXL Nutrition and Upfront publicly justified their price hikes and what the data...

How Middle East conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruption could impact food commodity markets

How Middle East tensions and Strait of Hormuz disruptions impact food commodities via oil prices, natural gas, fertilizer costs, freight rates and USD strength.

Milk chocolate bar manufacturing costs: where your money really goes

Raw materials are only 68.6% of your milk chocolate bar costs. Learn what makes up the remaining 31.4% and how to use cost models.

Chocolate kruidnoten more expensive than ever: 3 ways to cut costs with cost models

Chocolate kruidnoten prices have exponentially increased due to record cocoa costs end 2024/ start 2025.

Behind the rollout of Vesper’s new marketplace for dairy trading: 10 Questions with Sebastiaan Laurenceau

Seb Laurenceau reveals how Vesper onboarded 100+ dairy companies to their digital trading platform, the challenges faced, and user feedback.

Why Vesper built a marketplace for dairy trading: 10 Questions with Alexander Sterk

CEO Alexander Sterk reveals why he built a digital marketplace for dairy trading, how 100+ companies made the switch, and his vision for '30.

How European white sugar prices moved through 2025: A month-by-month breakdown

Explore how European white sugar prices moved month by month in 2025. From regional price differences to weather impacts and supply cuts.

Vesper expands sugar category with new sweetener price benchmarks

Vesper launches new monthly price benchmarks for Glucose Syrup DE 40-42%, Crystalline Fructose, and Dextrose Monohydrate.

Alternative cocoa solutions: exploring cocoa-free ingredients for sourcing stability

The cocoa market in the last five years is best defined by dramatic price surges and extreme volatility, driven by supply shocks.

Why cocoa prices dropped 43%: One of the biggest commodity corrections in 2025

Learn why cocoa prices fell 43% from €10,800 to €6,150 in 2025. Analysis of demand destruction, supply issues, and structural market changes.

How soft wheat and butter price trends impact your bakery margins: A bakery cost modeling guide

Discover how soft wheat and butter price changes affect bakery margins through cost modeling examples and what key price drivers to monitor.

Wheat types for industrial baking: Procurement manager's buying guide 2025

Wheat procurement best practices for industrial baking. Compare hard, soft, durum & milling wheat prices, seasonal trends.

Should your brand substitute part of its cocoa butter with shea butter?

Discover how substituting cocoa butter with shea-based CBE can cut costs, maintain quality, and protect margins.

Tracking the Sunflower–Rapeseed Oil spread: A margin-lever for bakery procurement teams

Discover how bakeries can use the sunflower–rapeseed oil spread to improve sourcing decisions. Track benchmarks, model costs, forecast prices.

Why coconut oil prices increased by 33% in 2025: A complete month-by-month timeline

Discover why coconut oil prices surged 33% in 2025. Explore key drivers, monthly market events, and expert price outlooks.

How weather may shape bakery ingredient prices in 2026 — with key recommendations on when to buy

Discover how extreme weather in 2025 is affecting global supply chains and pricing for sugar, grains, oils, cocoa, and nuts.

Butter vs Vegetable Oils in industrial baking: What procurement teams need to consider in 2026

Discover the key factors shaping the choice between butter and vegetable oils in industrial baking for 2026.

Margin meltdowns: 5 ways bakery profits are leaking

We delve into five key issues impacting profit margins in the baked goods industry and how they are best avoided.

10 events that shaped bakery procurement: 2015–2025

Due to an ever-changing landscape, the bakery industry has become more resilient, tech-savvy, and localized in its procurement strategies.

Procurement in the sugar market: what makes it so different? – Insights from Head of Marketing & Global Supply Chain at Viterra

Head of Marketing & Global Supply Chain at Viterra shares key insights on how buyers can manage long-term risk.

Dairy procurement in 2025: Why it feels like hitting a moving target

Dairy procurement has never been straightforward, but 2025 presents a unique challenge: the market feels like a constantly moving target.

Is your oils & fats procurement strategy ready for the most interconnected market ever?

Oils & fats procurement has become incredibly complex with biofuel demand, EUDR compliance, and regional disruptions.

Sugar markets in turmoil: Why 2025 is the most challenging year for procurement teams

Learn how procurement teams are adapting their buying strategies to navigate EU production cuts, weather extremes, and ethanol competition.

Fonterra’s approach to commodity risk, index pricing and the future of dairy

Discover how Fonterra’s President of Global Ingredients, Richard Allen, deals with volatility in the global dairy market.

Strategic partnership integrates 700+ Fastmarkets pricing benchmarks into Vesper's Commodity Intelligence Platform

Discover how Vesper’s new partnership with Fastmarkets brings 700+ trusted commodity price benchmarks—for grains, oils & fats, and packaging.

New Strong Source Podcast with Corinna Olearo, Head of Commodity Research & Price Risk Management at Nestlé on riding the commodity rollercoaster

Discover how Nestlé navigates commodity volatility. Corinna Olearo shares insights on cocoa, coffee, and data-driven procurement strategy.

Will tariffs reshape Palm Oil competitiveness?

Explore how Trump's new tariffs amplify the Malaysian-Indonesian palm oil price gap from €80 to €290/MT.

Global dairy markets in flux: US tariffs, European FMD, and supply chain disruptions

Discover how new US tariffs, European FMD outbreak, and currency shifts are reshaping global dairy trade. Expert analysis from Dairy Cafe on cheese exports, lactose market tightness, and strategic sourcing decisions for dairy buyers.

Egg market dynamics: Understanding price volatility and regional supply challenges

Industry expert Anders Wurcel from Ovodan analyzes current egg market trends, regional price differences, and future outlook.

The impact of rising cocoa powder prices on the European bakery industry

European bakery manufacturers face unprecedented challenges as cocoa powder prices soar by 40%. Discover how premium and mass-market producers are adjusting formulations, procurement strategies, and pricing to protect margins while maintaining quality.

Vesper’s Expanded Coverage of the Egg Market: Prices, Analysis, News, and Trade Insights

Discover Vesper's enhanced egg market coverage, offering real-time prices, in-depth analyses, and trade insights.

Expanded EU Sugar Price Benchmarks: Now Covering Germany, Netherlands, Poland & Spain

Track real-time sugar prices in Germany, Netherlands, Poland & Spain with Vesper’s expanded EU sugar price benchmarks.

Dairy Café Recap: Key 2025 Dairy Market Insights and Trends

Discover key 2025 dairy market insights, including trends, FMD impacts, New Zealand production. Stay ahead with actionable updates.

2024 Bakery Costs Unpacked: Butter Highs, Sugar Lows, and the Outlook for Ingredients

Explore 2024 bakery cost trends: soaring dairy, stable eggs, and falling sugar prices, plus insights into 2025 market expectations.

2024 Cheese Market Resilience Amid Dairy Volatility: Trends, Challenges, and 2025 Outlook

Explore the 2024 cheese market's resilience amid dairy volatility, production growth, supply challenges, and the outlook for 2025.

2024 Chocolate Market Turmoil: Cocoa Prices Surge Amid Supply Shortages and Dairy Volatility

Explore the 2024 chocolate market’s challenges with soaring cocoa prices, volatile dairy costs, and sugar relief.

2024 Dairy Market Insights: Tight Supply, Surging Prices, and Shifting Production Trends

2024 dairy trends: tight milk supplies, record butterfat prices, and rising specialty proteins. Insights for 2025.

2024 Fortified Foods Sector: Protein Ingredient Pressures, Market Growth, and Emerging Trends

Explore the 2024 fortified foods sector: protein ingredient pressures, market growth, and emerging trends in protein-enriched products.

2024 Infant Nutrition Market: Rising Ingredient Costs, Dairy Protein Pressure, and Oil Volatility

Discover the 2024 infant nutrition market: rising ingredient costs, dairy protein pressures, oil volatility, and 2025 challenges ahead.

2024 Oils and Fats Market Volatility: Price Fluctuations, Sourcing Challenges, and Sustainability Trends

Explore the 2024 oils and fats market with price surges, sourcing challenges, and sustainability trends shaping the industry for 2025.

2024 Sauces & Condiments Market: Oil Price Surges, Egg Fluctuations, and Ingredient Cost Challenges

Explore the 2024 sauces & condiments market with rising oil prices, egg price fluctuations, and ingredient cost challenges.

2024 Sugar & Sweeteners Market Trends: Price Declines, Production Shifts, and Evolving Consumer Preferences

Discover the 2024 sugar and sweeteners market trends, with price drops and shifting consumer preferences shaping 2025.

2024 Whey Protein Market: Record Prices Drive 13% Cost Increase in Sports Nutrition

The sports nutrition industry navigated significant market volatility in 2024, particularly in whey protein ingredients which form the foundation of many…

Navigating 2024 Confectionery Challenges: Cocoa Surge vs. Sugar Price Drop

Explore 2024 confectionery trends with rising cocoa costs for chocolate and falling sugar prices for sugar-based products.

New Partnership with eDairy News

We’re excited to share our new collaboration with eDairy News, a leading global dairy news platform.

Technical vs. Fundamental Analysis in Agri Commodities: How AI Can Improve Price Forecasting

Discover how AI-powered analysis combines technical and fundamental insights for more accurate price forecasting in agricultural commodities.

The EUDR Postponement is Official: Vesper Tackles Transparency Issues with a a range of Forward Price Benchmarks For Crude Palm Oil (CIF Rotterdam)

Discover how Vesper is tackling palm oil price transparency amid the EUDR postponement, with new Forward Price benchmarks.

How Vesper is Evolving Price Transparency in Sports Nutrition Commodities

Learn how Vesper provides price transparency for sports nutrition commodities, helping procurement managers secure better prices.

Vesper Becomes the First to Offer a Market-Wide Price Benchmark for Creatine: Enhancing Transparency in Sports Nutrition Sourcing

Discover Vesper’s latest addition to the Vesper Price Index (VPI) with weekly updated, peer-validated creatine prices for the EU market.

The Limitations of Using SMP to Estimate MPC70 Prices – Vesper’s New MPC70 Price Benchmark Offers the Solution

Discover how Vesper is bringing transparency to MPC70 pricing, helping businesses make informed decisions with reliable, up-to-date data

Vesper Leads with the First EUDR-Compliant Forward Pricing Benchmarks for Palm Oil 2025

Discover Vesper’s industry-first EUDR-Compliant Forward Pricing Benchmarks for Palm Oil 2025, updated daily.

Vesper and Sugaronline Expand Partnership to Offer India Sugar Market Reports

Discover the latest developments in India's sugar market with Vesper and Sugaronline's new twice-monthly reports.

Understanding Market Indexes: A Beginner's Guide to Market Benchmarks

Learn about market indexes in agriculture. This guide covers benchmarks, types, and practical applications for informed decisions.

Breaking Down the Chocolate Bar: Yearly Ingredient Price Fluctuations

Understand the key factors driving price fluctuations in chocolate bar ingredients. Powered by Vesper's market intelligence.

Top 3 Most Used Datasets: How Vesper Supports Agricultural Procurement Managers in Strategic Buying

This article dives into the top 3 most used datasets that help procurement managers enhance their procurement strategies.

Vesper adds caseinate prices to their pricing benchmark - boosting transparency in sports nutrition sourcing

Announcing the addition of two new products to the Vesper Price Index (VPI): Caseinate, Calcium Food, and Caseinate, Sodium Food.

New partnership with Sugaronline to elevate Vesper’s global sugar news coverage

Vesper announces a strategic partnership with Sugaronline, the preeminent independent global platform for the sugar and ethanol markets.

New partnership announcement: OIL WORLD’s weekly market analysis now available on Vesper

Read more about the strategic partnership between Vesper and OIL WORLD, the global leader in market analyses since 1958.

Top 7 Insights into US Dairy Market Trends: Prices, Production, and Forecast for 2024

In the global agriculture market, the US dairy market stands out as a global powerhouse, both in terms of production and consumption.

Vesper Partners with Stable, Integrating Independent Price Benchmark for Enhanced Risk Management

We are thrilled to announce our exciting new partnership with Stable, the global leader in supply chain insurance.

2023 Global Dairy Market Review and 2024 Outlook: Insights and Forecasts

Discover the evolving trends in the dairy market for 2023 and gain insights into the dairy market outlook for 2024 with our newest blog post.

5 Critical Metrics Driving Soybean Oil Prices in the United States: A 2024 Forecast

Explore the critical metrics influencing US soybean oil prices, from production volumes and biofuel industry impact to global trade dynamics.

Effective Dairy Price Tracking: Top 3 Strategies

Stay ahead of the market and explore what three strategies are key for effective dairy price tracking in this article.

Exciting Partnership Announcement: Vesper and Undercurrent News Join Forces to Transform Seafood Market Insights

Vesper and Undercurrent News join forces to boost seafood market intelligence, offering extensive pricing data for strategic decision-making.

Palm Oil Price Comparison: Malaysia vs Indonesia (2019-2024)

Dive into palm oil pricing trends in Malaysia and Indonesia (2019-2024), analyzing factors behind fluctuations and their industry impact.

What is the Impact of the Red Sea attacks on the Vegetable Oil Complex?

Middle Eastern Geopolitics: Discover the impact of the Red Sea ship attacks on the vegetble oil complex, like soybean, sunflower, palm oil.

Non-Fat Dry Milk: 2023 Market Recap and 2024 Outlook for the US market

Explore a 2023 market recap and 2024 outlook trends for Non-Fat Dry Milk (NFDM) and Skim Milk Powder (SMP) 2024.

5 key drivers of milk production output: the cornerstone of the dairy supply side

Explore the five pivotal factors influencing milk production volumes. Check out historical milk production trends, supported by Vesper's data.

Beyond Guesswork: Utilising Forecasts to Navigate Commodity Price Fluctuations

Master commodity trading with AI forecasts. Gain insights on price, production, and stock trends to make informed, market decisions.

2024's Top 7 Commodity Insights: A Practical Guide for Market Players

Gain vital insights into commodity trading with our guide on price benchmarking, market drivers, shipping impacts, and more.

Mastering market moves: how to set up commodity alerts for timely trading decisions

Master commodity trading with effective price, news, and trend alerts. Our guide details how to stay ahead in a dynamic market.

A deep dive into 3 key factors shaping commodity prices today

Dive into the 3 pivotal factors shaping commodity prices today: supply-demand balance, trade dynamics, and weather patterns.

Unlocking US dairy market insights: Vesper's new collaboration with the Daily Dairy Report

Explore insights into the US dairy market through Vesper's collaboration with the Daily Dairy Report. Our monthly analysis, led by Sarina Sharp, a seasoned expert in dairy economics and risk management, offers a concise breakdown of price, production, and supply trends in the US dairy market.

Why Vesper’s Milk Valorization model is an invaluable tool for dairy commodity producers

Optimize dairy profits with Vesper's Milk Valorization model. Make informed decisions for maximum ROI. Try our free calculator now!

How Vesper’s Independent Pricing Index has helped thousands of agricultural commodity market players make smarter trading decisions

The Vesper Price Index (VPI) gives buyers, sellers, and traders an unbiased pricing benchmark, trusted by 1000+ agricultural commodity professionals.

Dairy dynamics down under: Navigating New Zealand's milk season with NZX

Explore NZ milk season dynamics with Vesper and NZX. Get expert insights to navigate New Zealand's dairy market effectively.

New partnership with SouthDairyTrade to bring comprehensive LATAM dairy market insights

SouthDairyTrade enriches Vesper with LATAM dairy data. Gain unique market insights to inform your dairy investment decisions.

Global dairy trade streams: gaining strategic advantages in the dairy market using Vesper

Discover the Strategic Advantages of Global Dairy Trade Streams with Vesper: Gain a Competitive Edge in the Dairy Market. Learn how Vesper's innovative solutions empower businesses to thrive in the ever-evolving dairy industry. Read more to unlock growth opportunities and stay ahead of the competition.

Understanding vegetable oil crop seasonality: a guide to forecasting supply and demand

Discover the significance of vegetable oil crop seasonality in agricultural production. Learn how understanding the timing of planting, midseason, and harvest can forecast supply and demand, optimize market timing, and mitigate risks. Explore valuable insights and analysis on soybean and other crops, and how weather impacts yield. Read more on Vesper's blog.