Milk suppliers ‘can cover costs’

THE average EU milk supplier is getting 24 cent per litre and can still cover their variable costs, according to the European Commission.

There was significant variation – industry figures indicated a range of average prices in May from 16.5c per litre in Latvia to 39c in Finland.

But farmers with grass readily available could also cover a higher share of their fixed costs (such as labour, machinery, car, ESB, phone, depreciation, leases), according to the commission.