The Arla on-account prices for conventional and organic milk will remain unchanged for April 2020.

However, there will be a slight quarterly currency adjustment downwards of 0.15p/l. When applied to the UK manufacturing price, Arla’s price per litre for its farmer owners for conventional milk will be 30.79p/l and the organic price 39.83p/l, from 1 April.

Gary Mitchell, NFU Scotland milk chair, said: “The last seven days have been extremely unsettling for the whole country.

“However, the farmers of Scotland have as expected stepped up to the plate to keep the food supply flowing. While this news from Arla is welcome, especially in the current turbulence, it is hoped that both retailers and milk buyers recognise the work of all the dairy farmers in Scotland and that this recognition is demonstrated in both the short and long term.

Rising costs

“Costs on farm are rising and this needs to be made clear. The next few weeks are going to be a challenge for all, but dairy farmers will do what they do best and produce a product that we all know is as popular as ever.

“It is also important to stress that all farmers, their families and staff, must stay safe at this time and I would urge all to follow government guidelines to ensure we all get through this together.”