GDT was started in July 2008 by New Zealand co-operative Fonterra. Dairy America began selling product through the multi-product, twice-monthly auction this year.
New MG managing director Gary Helou says the GDT represented an efficient, transparent and independent method of selling dairy products on the global market.
"Lactose is a product that is growing in importance in the marketplace," Helou says. "This is driven by increased demand for lactose for products, such as infant formula and other nutritionals."
He says offering lactose on GDT will further develop the market for this product and has the potential to reduce volatility and provide more reliable price discovery for buyers and sellers.
"Accordingly we are confident that MG's involvement will provide benefits to MG shareholders and customers."
GDT general manager Paul Grave says MG's decision would enhance the GDT auction.
"MG's decision to offer lactose is a further significant step for GDT as it adds a new product to the platform that is not currently offered by existing sellers."
Graves says it demonstrates GDT's increasing role as a key platform for international trade in a broad range of dairy commodities.
"We are delighted that a company of MG's standing and importance in world dairy markets has decided to participate in GDT and play a part in shaping its future.
"Today the largest Australian dairy producer joins the largest American provider of milk powder and the largest provider of globally-traded dairy products to further develop GlobalDairyTrade."
More information about MG's offering on GDT will be provided to prospective customers in the lead up to its formal participation in April.
GDT sales to date total more than US$5 billion. It currently trades around 700,000 metric tonnes of products annually and has around 500 qualified bidders from more than 80 countries.
