Milk prices continue to rise across the board this week as supply nears peak.

Dairygold offered the highest base price for April supplies so far paying its suppliers 47.86c/l, excluding VAT. This represented a 2.84c/l increase on March supplies.

Glanbia is paying suppliers 47.5c/l, excluding VAT, for April milk supplies at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein.

This price consists of a new 3c/l agri-input support payment, along with Glanbia’s base milk price for April and its sustainability payment.

Farmers supplying Kerry Group are set for a price rise of over 2.8c/l for April milk. It announced an April milk price of 46.9c/l, excluding VAT, for milk supplied at 3.3% protein and 3.6% fat.

Last week, Lakeland Dairies lifted its base milk price by 3c/l to pay 47.48c/l, excluding VAT, for April supplies of milk in the Republic of Ireland at base constituents.

In Northern Ireland, Lakeland Dairies has increased its milk price by 2.5p/l to 40p/l.

A spokesperson for Dairygold said that continued weak global supply and sustained demand for dairy ingredients has meant that markets have remained firm.

“This increase in milk price reflects strong dairy markets, but also recognises the significant increase in input costs for milk suppliers since the beginning of the year,” they added.