Bandon Co-op leads the way in milk prices

THE downturn in the dairy industry last year hit hardest in the co-ops paying lower milk prices, according to the Irish Farmers Journal/KPMG Milk Price Audit.

As a result, the milk price gap between the worst and best paid farmers in the audit has widened from 3.31 to 3.69 cent per litre.

The top audited milk payer in 2002 was Bandon Co-op, averaging 28.44 cent per litre (101.82p per gallon) after collection charges and levies. The worst paying audited co-op was Connacht Gold at 24.75 cent per litre (88.61p per gallon).

Ranked in order of milk price, the other audit participants were Barryroe (28.28 cent per litre or 101.25p per gallon); Lisavaird (28.24 cent per litre or 101.11p per gallon); Wexford (27.73 cent per litre or 99.28p per gallon); Drinagh (27.61 cent per litre or 98.85p per gallon); Kerry (26.87 cent per litre or 96.2p per gallon); Glanbia (26.79 cent per litre or 95.92p per gallon); Dairygold (26.76 cent per litre or 95.81p per gallon); Town of Monaghan (25.69 cent per litre or 91.98p per gallon); Lakeland (25.61 cent per litre or 91.69p per gallon); and Arrabawn (25.6 cent per litre or 91.65p per gallon).

The audit reveals that most Irish dairy farmers were paid an average price in 2002 of between 95.81 and 96.2p per gallon by the big three co-ops, Kerry, Glanbia and Dairygold.

But the best paid farmers, supplying Bandon Co-op, got 5.6p per gallon more.

The top five payers are all heavily involved in cheese production.