Dairy processors – including co-ops – are being encouraged to increase milk prices to match market prices by the Irish Farmers Association (IFU).
Steven Arthur, IFA National Dairy Committee chair has been calling on the processors to return solid milk prices and confirmed the markets are very strong at the moment.
This month the IFU wants all processors to match a market price of 38.11c/L.
“Irish dairy processors are not returning the milk price in the marketplace. There’s an unacceptable gap between the market and what farmers are being paid,” added Mr Arthur.
“Co-ops have a duty to their farmer suppliers. Any attempt to hoard market returns to shore up their balance sheets will be strongly opposed.”
“The processors are reluctant to pass it back to farmers. It’s about time the processors reflected what the market is paying.”
Lakeland Dairies responded to IFA calls in June to bring milk prices inline with the buoyant market. The co-op announced a base milk price for June at 36c/L.
LSL News.