Milk Processors Urged to Hold the Line
UK - The Ulster Farmers’ Union has called on milk processors to pay firm prices at next weeks Milk Auction. The UFU says dairy farmers are seriously concerned at processors decision to once again reject option milk, potentially leading to a further milk price drop at next weeks auction.UFU Dairy Policy Chairman Jackson Wright said; “Milk prices have been strong in the past six months, reflecting a buoyant world dairy market. This has been needed to meet investment; and producers variable costs have risen by over 20% in the past year. We are calling on processors to pay firm prices at next weeks auction to retain confidence in the industry”.
The UFU says there is no justification for a major milk price drop. Jackson Wright said; “World Whole Milk Powder was $4,200 per tonne in December; in December 2006 Whole Milk Powder was only $2,800. The Cheddar Cheese market, our other major export is also buoyant, with prices double what they were twelve months ago. The value of the Euro is at an all time high against sterling, another factor which should be strengthening our export ability. Consumers will also be well aware that liquid milk retail prices remain strong. Against this background there seems little justification for further price drops at the Northern Ireland milk auction”.
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