The two largest milk processors in NI have increased prices paid for milk produced in July, although others have decided to hold at June prices.

Lakeland Dairies was first out with a price, adding 0.8p, taking its base to 30.9p/l. That price is effectively 0.3p/l more than suppliers received in June, once a 0.5p “market support” payment, paid on all litres across the first six months of the year, is factored in.

However, for Lakeland suppliers, there is a return to standard volume bonuses in July, after those bonuses were cut by 50% between April and June.

Last Friday, Dale Farm reversed a 0.5p price cut applied in June, with a 0.5p/l increase to its base price, taking it to 30.8p/l once a 0.3p loyalty payment is included. A 1.5p/l “market support” payment has also been retained, leaving the co-op’s starting price in July at 32.3p/l.

In June, Dale Farm was the only company to cut its price, after this market support payment was reduced from 2p to 1.5p/l.

Elsewhere, Leprino left its base unchanged at 29.75p/l, while Strathroy held at 31p/l. However, as part of its July payout, Strathroy has made a 0.5p/l back payment on all milk produced between January and June inclusive.

Leading price

With NI processors either holding or only up by less than 1p/l, the prices paid for July milk are likely to remain behind Tirlán, with the co-op committed to maintaining its June starting price of 31.7p/l unchanged through July and August.

On Tuesday, Tirlán also announced a 0.85p/l “weather related payment” for June, July and August. The payment is to be adjusted for milk solids, with June’s payment made retrospectively along with July’s milk cheque.

Record month

Meanwhile, the latest production data published by DAERA shows that May 2026 was a record month for milk output in NI.

In total, NI dairy farmers produced 278.44m litres, which is over 4m litres more than the next highest production month of May 2025.

Total production across the first five months of 2026 is also at a record high, with 1.291bn litres of milk supplied to processors, but there are signs that these supply figures could ease back as the year progresses. January production was up 4.61% on the same month in 2025, while May 2026 output was only up 1.57%.