Milk price rise stalls – several processors announce price hold for November

Suppliers in Tesco’s Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG) will receive 48p/litre in November, as prices stand on for the fourth consecutive month.

Prices are based on a standard liquid litre of 4% butterfat and 3.3% protein.

These contracts are based on cost of production modelling, which are being reviewed monthly by Promar.

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The cost tracker for September dropped cost of production by 0.26p/litre to 42p/litre after accounting for the latest feed, fuel and fertiliser adjustments.

The November price for Arla Direct TDSG suppliers remains at 47.75p/litre, according to milkprices.com.

Muller

Dairy farmers who receive Muller’s direct milk price will also see prices hold for November for a standard liquid litre, giving a base price of 47p/litre.

A further 1p/litre is also paid quarterly to producers that meet the requirements for its Advantage programme.

Prices are up by 18p/litre compared with November 2021 levels.

Freshways confirms 50p/litre price hold

Freshways will pay producers 50p/litre in November for its “A” litre milk price.

Prices are based on a standard liquid litre of 4% butterfat and 3.3% protein.

This is the third month the processor has held prices at this level and will put prices in October up by 20p/litre compared with the same month last year.

Freshways managing director Bali Nijjar wrote to suppliers and said: “Though we are starting to come under pressure from lower prices in the marketplace, we have assured our customers that we believe our liquid dairy competitors will have no choice but to increase the price they are offering or risk a shortfall in supplies.

“We have seen recent price increases in multiples, but still believe that milk is being very undersold when compared to its nutrient values and comparing it to any other liquid available to drink on a shelf,” said Mr Nijjar.

The processor has reportedly managed to recruit new farmers during September and is looking to take on more new members to its supplier group.

October price rises

Waitrose

Supermarket chain Waitrose will increase its October milk price by 1p/litre to 50p/litre for a standard liquid litre of 4% butterfat and 3.3% protein.

This increase will put prices up by 14.65p/litre compared with the same month last year and 15.65p/litre for the year to date, according to milkprices.com.

M&S

Producers supplying M&S will receive 51.38p/litre in October for a standard liquid litre.

The retailer has lifted prices by 1.28p/litre as a result of its Milk Pledge+ model triggering a price increase, according to milkprices.com.

Prices have risen by 14.19p/litre for the year to date.

South Caernarfon Creameries

Dairy co-operative South Caernarfon Creameries has announced it will pay 50p/litre to producers in October.

This is a 1p/litre increase on its September price for a manufacturing standard litre of 4.2% butterfat and 3.4% protein and includes the company’s 0.7p/litre monthly annual bonus (milkprices.com).

This is an increase of 19.4p/litre compared with the same month last year.

Average milk prices

Defra’s latest milk price reporting puts average farmgate milk prices in July at 45.57p/litre, an increase of 2.45p/litre on the previous month.

Volumes for the month were down by 2.7% on the previous month and 0.9% down on the same month last year to total 1.238bn litres.