First Milk, owner of the Lake District Creamery at Aspatria, announced the monthly rise with an increase of 0.57p/litre from July 1.

This puts the co-op’s manufacturing standard litre price at 30.50p/litre, including the member premium, for milk with 4.2 percent butterfat and 3.4 percent protein.

The member premium is a payment made at the end of each milk year, and for 2020-21 it was worth £4,800 to the average member. For the current milk year, the member premium is 0.5p/litre, payable to those who have reached their capital target.

First Milk said the July price rise was due to improvements in market returns. It added that it had been able to increase prices because of “continued capital investment in driving efficiency and productivity at its processing sites”.

Müller’s Advantage programme suppliers, who have agreed to improve supply chain collaboration, boost herd health and make reductions in environmental effects, are also set to gain a price increase. From July 1, Advantage programme suppliers will receive a milk price of 29p/litre – a 0.75p/litre rise.

However, Müller pointed out that the figure includes a 1p/litre premium for Advantage scheme members, which is paid annually in arrears each January. That means producers will receive Müller’s discretionary base price of 28p/litre for a standard litre from July 1.

Last week, the AHDB announced that a drop in milk delivery figures suggested the spring peak in production levels was already over for 2021.