Dairy processors are being told that there is “absolutely no basis” for any decrease in milk price offered to farmers for supplies in April and during the “crucial supply months”.
As processors prepare to announce the prices they will pay for April milk, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) said that the price paid for milk supplied last month will be a key indicator of co-op intentions for coming months.
Noel Murphy, the chairperson of the association’s Dairy Committee, said that milk purchasers who dropped a cent in last month’s announcements for March milk supplies followed those who had cut February prices.
According to Murphy, there was no market basis for a cut in either month, and there is “absolutely no basis” for any decrease in the months that comprise the ‘peak period’ – April, May and June.
“Markets are showing great resilience in the context of the uncertainty around the global economy due to the ongoing international tension, conflicts, and trade disputes. Milk supply continues to be on the ‘weaker’ side, with only slight increases in volumes across the globe for the first number of months in 2025,” Murphy said.
“This is all the more remarkable set against our very demanding sustainability requirements and availability of cheaper alternatives.”
According to the ICMSA dairy chairperson, the markets “seemed to agree” with the ICMSA’s analysis, given that prices held steady in April, with quotes for butter, skim milk powder and whole milk powder ranging from 48c/L to 51c/L.
“There has been fluctuations week-on-week, but the degree of consistency is most notable and the overriding factor,” Murphy said.
He added that prices for these industry standard products have not moved outside this price range “since the start of 2025 and this adds to the overwhelming evidence…that milk price for the peak months certainly should remain where it is, at a minimum”.
You can now read the most important #news on #eDairyNews #Whatsapp channels!!!
🇺🇸 eDairy News INGLÊS: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKsjzGDTkJyIN6hcP1K
