Milk processors in NI have left base prices unchanged for July, making it the second month in succession there has been an across-the-board price freeze.

Lakeland Dairies was first to set a price for July following its board meeting last Thursday. It remains on a base of 29.2p/l, a price it has paid since May.

Dale Farm followed suit and has stayed out in front of competitors on a base of 29.8p/l. This includes the co-op’s 0.3p/l loyalty bonus.

Glanbia Ireland/Fivemiletown held on a base of 29.5p/l, while Omagh based Strathroy Dairy will continue to pay its suppliers from a base of 29p/l.

Glanbia Cheese is also unchanged, which sees its suppliers on a starting price of 28.75p/l. This leaves Aurivo as the only processor that has yet to declare its hand for July.

Across those processors that have set a price for July, the average is 29.29p/l, which is 4.1p/l higher than the corresponding month last year.

Full details on July milk pricing will feature in next week’s milk league.

GDT

Meanwhile, the second and final GDT auction for August saw a 0.3% increase on the index price which climbs to US $3,827/t. The positive result at Tuesday’s auction halts a run of eight consecutive negative GDT events.

Butter increased by 4%, with cheddar up 2.8%. Skim milk powder (SMP) increased by 1.1%, although whole milk powder (WMP) fell by 1.5%.

Dutch price

Dairy commodity prices are also in recovery mode at the weekly Dutch Dairy Board auction. Butter is up by €70/t and has now risen in value for three consecutive weeks. SMP also increased for the third week in a row, although WMP slipped by €20/t.

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