March milk prices confirmed
Dairygold announced they will be maintaining their quoted milk price of 50cpl based on standard constituents of 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein, inclusive of sustainability and quality payments and VAT. Dairygold milk suppliers will receive, on average, a farm gate milk price of 55.3cpl based on average milk solids achieved for March 2025.
A Company spokesperson commented that 'Dairy markets have remained generally stable, despite the ongoing, significant geopolitical risks. Global milk production remains relatively stable, but buyers remain cautious in advance of the EU peak milk supply, as well as the threat of tariffs.'
For the first time in 2025, Carbery reduced its base milk price by 1cpl. With this reduction, if it is applied across all four West Cork co-ops; Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisvard, this will result in an average milk price of 52.12cpl, inclusive of VAT, and a 0.5cpl somatic cell count (SCC) bonus and FutureProof sustainability bonus, excluding VAT.
A spokesperson for Carbery said: "Our milk price has been strong since the beginning of the year. Our adjustment this month is bringing milk price more in line with actual market performance.'
Farmers supplying Tirlán will receive a total of 50.08cpl, including VAT, for March at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein.
This price is made up of a base milk of 49.58cpl (including VAT), a reduction also of 1cpl from February and a Sustainability Action Payment of 0.5cpl (including VAT) to all qualifying suppliers. The actual average price paid by Tirlán for March creamery milk, based on delivered constituents, will be 55.24cpl (including VAT).
Tirlán Chairperson John Murphy said: 'While dairy markets are relatively stable, our milk price required a realignment to reflect market returns. Overall, supply and demand are generally in balance. Global milk supply growth is weak, with Bluetongue, Avian Flu and Foot and Mouth negatively impacting milk production in some regions. There is considerable uncertainty about the potential impact of tariffs in the coming months. The Board will continue to monitor developments on a monthly basis.'
Lakeland Dairies has decided to keep its February milk price for March. A base price of 48.75cpl (3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein) will be paid for March milk in Ireland, which is inclusive of the 0.5cpl Sustainability Incentive Payment.
The Chairperson of ICMSA's Dairy Committee, Noel Murphy, has called for a reversal of cuts made to the February milk price.
'The 'Trump drama' is a medium-to-long-term concern but has no impact on current pricing and must not be used as an excuse to reduce milk price for March. There's a long way to go before we see the true implications of the US imposition of swingeing tariffs, and it's not wise or prudent to anticipate or even guess what's going to happen in the coming months.
"The global milk market is in a good position, and with the weather doing its best to drive production across the country, those setting the price should be looking to sunnier days too. There's an unanswerable case to reverse the cuts to February milk price and deliver market returns in excess of 50cpl base price', he said.
Mr Murphy said the justification for milk price cuts appears to be based on reductions of 'spot' prices. These February 'spot' prices have not only reversed, but prices have also improved for butter, skimmed milk powder (SMP), and whole milk powder (WMP) during March.
The latest Dutch dairy quotations, published on April 16, show that fresh butter price has reduced by €50, resulting in €7,250/t net ex-works, WMP down by €80, resulting in €4300/t, and SMP down by €40, resulting in €2,390/t.
As of April 15, Global Dairy Trade (GDT) has reported an overall increase of 1.6% in the GDT Price Index, resulting in an average price of €3,854/t.
GDT Price Index also reports an increase of 1.5% in butter, making the weighted average price €6,750/t and an increase of 2.8% for WMP, resulting in a weighted average price of €3,666/t. SMP has seen a reduction of 2.3% on the GDT Price Index, bringing its weighted average price to €2,457.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
6 hours ago
- Agriland
Dairy breeding elite set for Cavan as Baileys Champion Cow returns
Some of the best Holstein Friesian genetics in Ireland will be on show at this year's Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow Competition, taking place at the Virginia Show on Wednesday, August 20. According to competition co-ordinator Patrick Gaynor, it is not just the €13,000 prize fund that has attracted a strong response from breeders across Ireland this year. Gaynor mentioned that 28 cows are entered, including a record eight coming from four Northern Irish counties - Antrim, Armagh, Derry, and Down - with other exhibitors travelling from as far away as counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary. He also paid tribute to the support of both the Irish Holstein Friesian Association and Holstein Northern Ireland (NI), crediting the warm welcome and the prestige of the 'Baileys Cow' title as the main draw for exhibitors. 'The welcome competitors receive from the organisers and sponsors as well as the prestige of even taking part in a competition as well known as 'the Baileys' is I believe what makes it special.' Now in its fifth decade, the competition continues to be one of the most sought-after titles in the pedigree dairy community, backed by one of the longest-running sponsorship partnerships in Irish agriculture – between Diageo, owner of Baileys Irish Cream, and its cream supplier Tirlán. The cream for Baileys is produced down the road from the showgrounds at Tirlán's Virginia site, making the event a showcase for the global brand's Irish provenance. Judging duties this year will fall to Italian breeder Giuseppe Beltramino from northern Italy. MC duties will once again be handled by Michael Taffe. Proceedings get underway at 3.00pm, preceded by a parade of the Holstein Friesians entering the main ring. A special VIP guest will join Diageo Ireland's corporate relations director Shane Kelly and Tirlán chairperson John Murphy to present the top prize and the Virginia Milk Products Cup trophy.
Agriland
6 hours ago
- Agriland
Kerry Dairy Ireland confirms milk price for July supplies
Kerry Dairy Ireland has confirmed the milk price it will pay to its suppliers for July, deciding to reduce its price. The Kerry Dairy Ireland milk price for July milk supplies is 49.03c/L, including VAT, quality and sustainability bonuses. This is down from the is 50.03c/L offered last month for milk supplies in June. The processor said that, based on Kerry Dairy Ireland's average milk solids for July, the milk price return inclusive of VAT, quality and sustainability bonuses is 53.32c/L. At EU standard constituents of 3.40% protein and 4.20% butterfat, the milk price is 53.57c/L, including VAT. In a statement today (Thursday, August 14), Kerry Dairy Ireland said: "Global dairy markets are shifting toward a supply-heavy position, with relatively strong milk output across key production regions outpacing demand growth. "This imbalance is putting some downward pressure on commodity prices." Yesterday, Lakeland Dairies board confirmed that it would pay a price of 48.25c/L (3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein) for July milk in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) which is inclusive of the 0.5c/L Sustainability Incentive Payment. This is a reduction of 1c/L on the price paid in June. In Northern Ireland (NI), a price of 39.3p/L will be paid for milk supplied in July which is also inclusive of the Sustainability Incentive Payment. This is a reduction of 1p/L on the price paid in June. The processor has stated that market prices have declined over the last three to four weeks, driven by a steady increase in global milk supplies and softening demand amid ongoing trade and geopolitical tensions. "Lakeland Dairies will continue to monitor the markets and will endeavour to support our farmers with the best milk price possible in line with market conditions," the company said.
Agriland
07-08-2025
- Agriland
Milk processors called on to hold current prices
Milk processors have been called on to hold their current milk prices, as they gear up to announce their offerings to suppliers for July. Ahead of the announcement run of July milk prices, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) cited "stable dairy markets" with minimal movement throughout the month. Noel Murphy, the chairperson of the ICMSA's dairy committee, said: "While some spot prices have softened slightly, overall market conditions remain stable and strong. "There is no rational basis for any reduction in milk prices." According to Murphy, the "fundamentals" of the dairy market have been strong, including Dutch dairy quotes for butter, skimmed milk powder (SMP) and whole milk powder (WMP), which "averaged in the high forties throughout July". "Italian spot prices consistently exceeded 60c/L, reflecting the strength of continental demand," Murphy said. He said this view was supported by good recent performances for SMP and WMP on commodity exchanges. Murphy noted that EU milk supplies are forecasted to decline slightly in 2025 due to regulatory pressures and tight margins, further adjusting downwards supply. "Given all these indications, any suggestion of downward pressure on milk prices would be unjustified and out-of-sync with market realities," the ICSMA dairy chairperson said. The Global Dairy Trade (GDT) index saw a second increase in a row this week, after four consecutive decreases throughout May and June. After the latest trading event on Tuesday (August 5), the index increased by 0.7%, following on from an increase of 1.1% on July 15. The increase two weeks ago followed on from four consecutive decreases between May 20 and July 1, which ranged from 0.9% to 4.1%. The index now stands at 1,268. This compares to a 2025 high of 1,344 on May 6. The May 6 figures was the highest GDT index since June 2022. Meanwhile, the latest Ornua Purchase Price Index (PPI), for July, implies an indicative return of 45.5c/L, 5.1% VAT inclusive (unchanged from the previous month) for milk at 3.6% fat and 3.3% protein. The figure is net of Ornua's costs to market, and was determined after deducting the estimated processing cost of 9.3c/L.
