Milk price rise for Dale Farm producers

Dale Farm has raised it November milk price by 1p/litre to 27p/litre for milk of standard constituents.

The Northern Irish processor has now raised its prices in five consecutive months, culminating in a jump of almost 10p/litre since the lows of the dairy crisis in July.

This increase equates to close to £80m extra paid out to the company’s 1,300 producers, according to Dale Farm group chairman John Dunlop.

See also: Global Dairy Trade lists fourth consecutive increase

“We also paid a 4p/litre bonus on additional milk produced, as part of a milk production scheme. The initiative was hugely successful and resulted in an additional 0.274p/litre in November across the milk pool – an increase that will make a significant difference to our contributing members.”

Mr Dunlop added, “We continue to work with our customers to secure much-needed market returns. This involves remaining focused on driving dairy consumption and value for consumers through new innovations.

“The launch of Dale Farm’s ‘Farmers Milk’ in Asda last month was another welcome boost to our dairy farmers, especially during the winter months, when they have additional costs.”

Willing to pay more 

“Consumers seem willing to pay more if they know it goes directly to the farmers that produce it.”

Northern Ireland farmgate milk prices shot up in the latest AHDB figures for October, overtaking UK farmgate prices for the first time since March 2014.

United Dairy Farmers was created in 1995 and has dairy operations in England, Scotland and Wales as well as Northern Ireland where the co-op originated.