Co-op boards urged to raise their milk prices

ICMSA deputy president and dairy chairman Pat McCormack has called on all co-op boards to increase the milk price immediately.

He said the Irish milk price was well behind market developments, and pointed out that in 2011, when the Irish Dairy Board price index was at its current level, dairy farmers here were paid 34 cent per litre in most co-ops.

Global dairy prices started 2013 on a firm note in the Global Dairy Trade auction, rising to their highest in nearly a year. The 20% increase since mid-December included a 4.7% price increase for skim milk powder, to a 19-month high. Prices rose 1.9% for cheddar, and 1.6% for whole milk powder, which makes up the vast majority of volumes on offer.