ICMSA claims co-ops holding back on milk price hike, keeping profits

CO-OPS are holding back on a 2c per litre milk price increase due to farmers and keeping the profits for themselves, argues the ICMSA.

It claims that improved global dairy markets should see the Irish price jump from 33c up to 35c per litre. It argues that co-op boards appear happy to agree on a lower milk price, with no intention of paying more irrespective of the strength of international markets.

ICMSA’s Dairy Committee chairman Pat McCormack said: “Two questions arise: why are the co-ops holding back on the price paid to their milk suppliers, and what are they doing with all the additional profits?