First Milk latest processor to push prices up

The UK’s largest farmer-owned dairy, First Milk, yesterday announced it was increasing the price for its manufacturing and liquid pools by 1p per litre (ppl)from November 2013, raising the standard prices to 32ppl and 31.85ppl respectively.

These increases mean price rises since April equate to 3.5ppl for First Milk’s manufacturing producers and 2.7ppl for those in their liquid pool, in addition to an the 8 per cent return on capital paid this year.

First Milk chairman Bill Mustoe said it had been made possible by the company “hunting down every opportunity to drive returns for members.”

NFU Scotland’s Milk Policy Manager George Jamieson said it was especially welcome with winter approaching. He said: “This latest price announcement follows on from the Müller Wiseman lift last week and the expectation that further positive price announcements from other milk purchasers are imminent. Milk prices have been languishing of late and these price increases must be seen as only the start.