Shropshire Star

Dairy giant Muller's pledge over price of milk

Muller has announced that it is to hold its milk price in January, despite continuing falls in the global dairy market.

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The Market Drayton-based dairy giant's decision keep its price unchanged in the new year has been welcomed by representatives of the 1,200 dairy farmers who supply the business.

Philip Rowney, chairman of the Muller Wiseman Milk Group board which represents dairy farmers who supply the company, said: "The milk price is still badly affected by world supply and demand problems and not where we would like it to be.

"But Muller is showing the benefit of investment in adding value to the milk which we produce, and we welcome its stance on its standard farm gate price, and the supplementary payments it is receiving from customers."

Robert Newbery, NFU regional director, added: "Many Shropshire dairy farmers are facing a very grim winter.

"A price freeze is better than a further cut but prices need to rise to secure the future for dairy farming in Shropshire.

"The NFU has fought long and hard to highlight dairy sector issues to the consumer, processor and retailer, working with our members and others in the industry.

"We have been busy ensuring retailers, food service operators and food manufacturers understand the impact of unsustainable prices and volatility on their supply base."

Dairy farmers around the world will await the latest results from the fortnightly Global Dairy Auction today, but prices have started falling again after a brief period of improvement between August and October.

Among other major dairy companies, Arla said last week that it was to maintain its milk price at 23.04 pence per litre during December, while Dairy Crest also pledged to hold its milk price for those on standard liquid contracts this month – although it knocked 0.6p per litre from the price paid to those on its Davidstow cheddar cheese contract.

Muller will hope that by holding its milk price it will continue to stave off blockades, after campaign group Farmers For Action said it would not target the Market Drayton dairy while it was improving its prices.

Processing giants in Chester have instead borne the brunt of the most recent protests.

Muller UK & Ireland will offer 22.35p per litre to non-contract aligned farmers in January.

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