Record prices for butter and cream in North-Western Europe as Christmas demand approaches, with the benchmark price of butter reaching 7,935 euros per tonne, a rise of nearly 300 euros this week, and cream price rising to 9,845 euros per tonne. This is due to the bluetongue virus outbreaks reducing milk production, leading to a sharp decline in milk production in infected countries, and high raw material prices from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite concerns, a drop in butter prices is not expected, and prices are expected to increase further due to seasonal demand.