Dairy supplier are celebrating the victory in the war against $1-a-litre milk, with the major retailers increasing the price of their private label milk.
They have railed against cheap milk, which they argue has devalued their product since it was first introduced in 2011.
The supermarkets have now commitment to return an extra 10 cents per litre direct to dairy farmers, mirroring a commitment from Woolworths last month.
Farmers said while milk is still cheaper today compared to in 2010, they hoped the change had “broken the back” of dollar milk which they claim has contributed to crippling the industry.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud recently called on Australian shoppers to boycott Aldi and Coles for as long as the supermarkets continued to offer cheap milk.
Sustained pressure
Coles and Aldi both issued statements on Tuesday night announcing the price of two and three-litre home brand milk at their stores would increase by 10 cents per litre from March 20.
Coles described the price increase as an interim measure, and Aldi said the price hike was a short-term solution.
Both supermarkets said the proceeds would be passed on to dairy farmers.
“This victory is a good start in the war against $1-a-litre milk,” Mr Littleproud said.
“I welcome this news and I encourage supermarkets and processors to spread this right across the dairy range.”
Coles chief executive Steven Cain said drought had compounded many of the difficult issues Australian dairy farmers are facing.
Announcing the price increase, Mr Cain said the retailer was “continuing to explore long-term solutions with government and industry stakeholders” to help the dairy industry.
“However, we know that many dairy farmers cannot wait for structural reform to be delivered so we are moving to provide relief right now,” Mr Cain said.
In a written statement, Aldi Australia spokesman Oliver Bongardt said the German retailer would work with dairy processors to support the long-term viability of the dairy industry.
“Our decision to increase fresh milk prices has been reached in recognition of the significant issues currently impacting the dairy industry and the fact that broader government-led policy reform is unlikely to occur in the short term,” Mr Bongardt said.
The price increase comes as Australian dairy farmers are expected to produce the lowest level of milk since the mid-1990s.
A growing number of dairy farmers are exiting the industry, saying it costs more to produce the milk than they are paid for it.
Drought, a downturn in crucial export markets, and high feed, water and electricity prices have made it difficult for farmers to compete since a global downturn in mid-2016.
Suppliers note long fight
Dairy farmer Vanessa Todd, a Coles supplier based in Bodalla in NSW, said it had been a long time coming.
“I think it’s fantastic, it’s what farmers have been pushing for for a long time. It’s soul destroying to see your product sold at such a low price,” she said.
“I’m not sure what the increase in price will mean to me, but it’s farmers that have to keep the pressure on processors to make sure this will be passed on in full to farmers.
Whether the change had come through lobbying from politicians, consumers or processors, Ms Todd said the change has been led by farmers.
“I think it’s continuous lobbying from a small group of dairy farmers who have been knocking on doors, working behind the scenes and saying ‘you cannot keep undervaluing our product’,” she said.
“There needs to be huge structural change to the Australian dairy industry.
If we don’t see a change in the structure in the way dairy farmers are paid we will continue to see milk prices fall and dairy farmers leaving the industry.”
Southern Queensland dairy farmer Peter Garrett said today was a historic day.
“It’s the first step of what needs to be an industry wide reform towards a more sustainable price,” he said.
“Ten cents isn’t going to do it long term, but it’s certainly a huge shot in the arm for the dairy industry.
“We’re not saying it’s the absolute saviour of the industry, but it is certainly the saviour of farms here and now as it helps people see a future beyond the next two or three months and continue farming hopefully.”
Mr Garrett said it will help cover some of his increased feed costs due to the drought.
“I think it [the price increase] takes out about a third of my daily costs of feeding my cows,” he said.
“I’m not sure it gets us back in the black yet, but it certainly gets our head well above the water and gives us a bit of breathing room so we can step back and make considered decisions going forward.”
With additional reporting by Joshua Becker/Bega, Lydia Burton/Toowoomba and Jennifer Nichols/Sunshine Coast.