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The largest milk processors in NI all kept prices unchanged for December supplies, leaving Strathroy Dairies as the only company to increase its base price. A 1p/l increase brings it to a base of 27p/l, which becomes a starting price of 28p/l with Strathroy’s 1p/l winter bonus included.
Elsewhere, Dale Farm remains on a base of 26.55p/l, including its 0.3p/l loyalty bonus. With its 2p/l winter bonus added, suppliers remain on a starting price of 28.55p/l.
Glanbia Cheese is on 28p/l when a 2p/l winter bonus payment is added in, with Glanbia Milk on a 27.5p/l base, which increases to 29p/l with its 1.5p/l winter bonus included.
Aurivo left its base on 26.5p/l. However, the co-op pays a 1p/l winter bonus for December compared to a 2p/l bonus in November, so the final price paid to suppliers will be down.
That leaves Lakeland Dairies, unchanged on a price of 30.55p/l, which consists of a 26.55p/l base along with a 3p/l winter premium and 1p/l co-op bonus. A full analysis of prices will be published in next weeks’ monthly milk league.
DAERA
Meanwhile, DAERA statistics show the NI farm-gate milk price averaged 29.57p/l in October, up 1.5p/l on September and 2p/l higher on the same month last year.
The October price is the highest monthly average price recorded since December 2018.
Monthly production totalled 177.7m litres, up 4.5% on the same month in 2019. From January to October, NI milk production stands at 2.061bn litres, 1.9% higher year on year.
GDT
In general, the outlook for dairy commodities looks reasonably positive for 2021. The second and final GDT event for January resulted in the fifth consecutive price increase with the index rising 4.8% to US $3,593/t. Butter increased by 4.6% with skim and whole milk powder rising 7% and 2.2% respectively.
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