2 March 2011

2 minute read

Europe

Mr Kiersey said that the average combined returns for EU SMP and butter had lifted by 8.6 per cent between January and February, and yesterday’s 5.9% increase in the average Fonterra auction price confirmed the strong market outlook to November 2011 at least.

He urged the Irish Dairy Board to reflect immediately the increase in market prices for product traded during February, and to lift the index by the full extent of the 3c/l to just under 38c/l (at 3.3 per cent protein and 3.6 per cent butterfat). Mr Kiersey also called on all co-ops to pass back the 3c/l minimum increase in the February milk price, in addition to the January milk price increases most of them have already paid.

Both Glanbia and Kerry have now lifted their price to 31.36c/l plus VAT for February.

Mr Kiersey said: “This does not fully reflect improving market returns. Co-ops must lift prices by 3c/l at least to 33c/l + VAT to ensure farmers, many of whom are still dealing with the financial consequences of the 2009 income crisis, benefit from the real increase in market prices.”

“The average EU gross spot market price for butter has increased by over seven per cent between January and February, while SMP prices have lifted by 9.95 per cent, whole milk powder prices by 10.5 per cent, and whey powder prices by a whopping 24.7 per cent. The recent improvement in UK cheddar cheese prices represented a more modest 1.16 per cent lift over the same period,” Mr Kiersey said.

“End February spot quotes indicate that most commodity combinations can pay well in excess of this, with butter/skimmed milk powder, whole milk powder and cheddar cheese/whey powder gross returns all between 40c/l and 44c/l. This augurs well for co-op returns as milk supplies begin in earnest,” he said.

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