LAST year’s record surge in market prices for milk products such as powders and butter has peaked withreturns now close to normal levels, but the long term outlook for the industry is still good.

NEWMARKET Co-op in north Cork topped the Irish Farmers Journal/KPMG 2006 audit of average milk prices, minus collection charges and levies.

CHEESE and whey will figure prominently in a €286m capital investment by milk processors, which includes €114m of Dairy Investment Fund grant assistance from the Government.

NEWMARKET Co-op in north Cork has reported a turnover of €45.89 million for 2003 and an operating profit of €477,000 for the same period.