Tirlán, Carbery and Dairygold boost September milk price
Tirlán, Carbery, Dairygold, Kinisla and Lakeland Dairies have all announced a rise in their September milk price.
Co-ops have increased September milk prices, with Tirlán, Carbery and Dairygold increasing by one cent per litre.
Tirlán has confirmed a September milk price of 40.08cpl, including VAT and the 0.5cpl Sustainability Action Payment. It is an increase of 1cpl on the August milk price.
The price was announced on September 18 as part of the co-op’s commitment to pay at least 40.08cpl for the remainder of the year.
The actual average price paid by Tirlán for September creamery milk, based on delivered constituents, is 50.80cpl (including VAT).
Tirlán chairperson Ger O’Brien highlighted that liquid milk premiums, such as the Seasonality Bonuses and Autumn Calving Scheme payments, on top of the 40.08cpl “floor” price for the rest of the year, would reward those who incur the additional costs of supplying milk during the winter months.
The Tirlán Board also recently approved a new five-year payment framework for participants in the Liquid Milk and Autumn Calving Schemes (ACS), effective from October 1, 2026.
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The January seasonality payment will increase from 7cpl to 9cpl, while the unconditional seasonality payments for December and February will remain at 5cpl.
The package will also provide a 13cpl liquid milk premium to contracted suppliers and a 12cpl premium on contracted ACS supplies.
If replicated across all four West Cork co-ops, Carbery's 1cpl increase in September milk price will result in an average milk price of 42.36cpl inclusive of VAT, the 0.5cpl SCC bonus and the FutureProof sustainability bonus.
The actual average price paid for September milk, based on actual solids from suppliers, is expected to be 52.62cpl, including VAT.
A spokesperson for Carbery said: “We are pleased to announce a further increase of 1cpl in our base milk price for September, reflecting the recent improvement in dairy market returns.
"While global milk supplies remain strong and market conditions continue to be mixed, we recognise the challenges faced by our farmer suppliers throughout the year and remain committed to supporting them through these periods of volatility. The Milk Price Stability Fund contribution will be maintained at 1cpl for September.”
Dairygold have also increased its September price by 1cpl to 40cpl, based on standard constituents of 3.3% Protein and 3.6% Butterfat, inclusive of Sustainability and Quality payments and VAT.
The new milk price equates to an average farm gate milk price of 51.3cpl for the month, based on the average milk solids achieved by suppliers.
Based on EU Standard constituents of 3.4% Protein and 4.2% Butterfat, it is 43.9cpl, inclusive of VAT.
Commenting on the board’s decision, Dairygold chairperson Pat Clancy said: "Dairy markets have seen an uplift in recent weeks, supported by solid demand and a slowdown in the pace of global milk supply growth.
"Most dairy commodities remain broadly balanced, although butter prices have faced downward pressure due to higher stock levels. The Dairygold board will continue to monitor market developments closely and review milk prices monthly, with a focus on maximising returns to milk suppliers."
Kinisla has announced a September milk supply price of 40.35cpl inclusive of VAT. This is a 0.75cpl increase on the co-op’s milk price last month.
At EU Standard Constituents 3.40% Protein and 4.20% Butterfat, this equates to 44.18cpl (VAT inclusive).
Based on Kinisla’s average milk solids for September, the milk price return, inclusive of VAT, quality and sustainability bonuses, is 49.69cpl.
A spokesperson for the co-op said: “Milk production growth across the major dairy exporting regions continues to slow. Demand for dairy protein continues to provide support for milk pricing.”
The Lakeland Dairies Board has agreed to increase the September milk price by 0.6cpl.
A base price of 39.7cpl with 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein will be paid to suppliers, which is inclusive of the 0.5cpl Sustainability Incentive Payment.
Northern Irish suppliers will receive a base price of 31.9ppl (pence per litre) for September milk, which is also inclusive of the Sustainability Incentive Payment and is an increase of 0.5ppl.
Speaking on the board’s decision, a spokesperson said: “While global milk flows remain ahead of last year, the rate of growth is continuing to slow. This, coupled with solid demand, has seen the market strengthen over the last number of months.
"As we look forward from a demand perspective, macroeconomic factors such as oil/energy pricing, consumer sentiment, interest rates and general inflation will be the biggest variables in the short to medium term.”
