Aug 1 (Reuters) - Fonterra:
* Fonterra announces earnings per share forecast for 2016/17
* Forecast earnings per share range for the 2017 financial year of 50 to 60 cents
* Forecast farmgate milk price has been maintained at $4.25 per kilogram of milksolids (kgms)
* With the farmgate milk price forecast remaining at $4.25 per kgms, it is another financially challenging season for farmers"
* Expect global milk supply and demand to come into balance over the course of this season"
* Says forecasting a three per cent reduction in our New Zealand milk collection for this season
* NZ$4.25 farmgate milk price reflects continuing global uncertainty"
* Recent weakening of euro, combined with continued strength of New Zealand dollar, "has meant price advantage for European export dairy products"
* Source text for Eikon ID:nNZW1ZZThK