Milk prices

With dairies announcing unusual milk price rises for May, Cedric Porter takes a look at the milk markets

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

Major dairies have increased milk prices in March and April

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 organic dairy co-operative said the price increase for March had reflected a ‘sustained upturn’ in demand for organic milk

It is welcome news that some milk buyers have found themselves in a position to be able to increase milk prices either for December or the start of the New Year

Arla has announced a December price rise with other dairies moving up in January

The co-operative has announced a 0.89ppl increase from December 1

With continued milk price volatility resulting in more farmers looking for ways to safeguard their future, Sarah Alderton looks at milk vending as an option for farmers to get more for their milk