Business

Dairy farmers are producing in a new era of higher costs, more price volatility and a smaller safety net, but there are still plenty of opportunities

The continued wet weather could impact UK imports of wheat from Germany

After weakening through March, commodity prices are showing some tentative signs of improvement with butter jumping from the €5,500 (£4,719) zone to as high as €5,950 (£5,106) for some trades

Farmers and growers are getting increasingly frustrated and concerned over the wet spring, which is on track to be one of the wettest in living memory, and if the situation does not change for the better soon, the inflationary repercussions will surely be felt later this year

A turbulent milk market against the backdrop of an ever-changing regulatory landscape has brought managing change into sharp focus for dairy producers

It follows years of campaigning from the UK farming unions

Arla holding their milk price for February following their 3€c/kg increase for January, together with Müller deciding to leave their Müller Direct price unchanged for March, posting the fifth consecutive month of price stability, has the effect of locking in virtually all other milk buyers for liquid processing as a hold for March

The markets have started the year in nervously neutral mood, with milk volumes ramping-up unexpectedly in key regions, which has seemingly taken the wind out of seller's sales

Speaking at this year's Semex International Dairy Conference in Glasgow, Chris Walkland predicted an improving outlook for 2024

The announcement comes after Muller confirmed they would be selling their Milk & More to Freshways Group, with the dairy processor focused on its supply of fresh milk, yoghurt and other dairy products for retail and wholesale