Kerry Group has announced its milk price for January supplies of 39.5c/litre at 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat.
This consists of a base price of 37c/litre, up 1c from last month, and a milk contract payment of 2.5c/litre on all qualifying milk volumes.
The Kerry January milk price at EU standard constituents of 3.4% protein and 4.2% butterfat is 43.3c/litre.
Based on Kerry’s average milk solids for January, the milk price return inclusive of Vat and bonuses is 46.7c/litre.
A spokesperson for Kerry said that “dairy markets remain volatile and without definite direction, with sluggish demand hampering the impact of bullish sentiment around lower milk supplies”.
“Chinese consumer confidence is low and European-origin product is now at a disadvantage into Asia as a result of the ongoing shipping issues through the Suez,” the spokesperson added.
Tirlán has confirmed it will pay a total of 41.08c/litre for January creamery milk supplies at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein.
The price includes a seasonality payment of 4c/litre that will be paid on all creamery milk volumes supplied in January that meet quality criteria.
The January milk price consists of a base price of 36.58c/litre, an increase of 1c; the seasonality payment; and the sustainability action payment of 0.5c/litre.
The Tirlán total price for January creamery milk, based on LTO constituents of 4.2% butterfat and 3.4% protein, is 44.63c/litre.
Tirlán chairman John Murphy commented: “The board is pleased to be in a position to increase base milk price for the third consecutive month to reflect recent improvements on global markets.
“Milk supply growth globally was very low in 2023 and is forecast to remain sluggish, which should support dairy markets.
“However, geopolitical concerns and economic weakness in some markets continue to impact on demand and will need to be monitored closely.”
Dairygold has increased its January price by 1c to 38c/litre, based on standard constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat, inclusive of sustainability and quality bonuses and Vat.
In addition, the January early calving bonus of 3.14c/litre will be paid on milk supplied in January, thereby increasing the attainable Dairygold milk price to 41.14c/litre, at standard constituents.
The quoted January milk price equates to an average January farm gate milk price of 48c/litre, including the early calving bonus, based on the average January 2024 milk solids.
The price for January, based on EU standard constituents of 3.4% protein and 4.2% butterfat, is 44.6c/litre, including the early calving bonus and inclusive of Vat.
A company spokesperson commented that dairy market prices “have improved in recent months, reflecting a decrease in global milk supplies, but with demand continuing to be volatile, future pricing forecasts remain uncertain”.
Carbery has increased its base milk price for January by 1c/litre.
Carbery said it is also continuing to support milk price from its stability fund with a contribution of 2c/litre.
If this decision is replicated across the four West Cork co-ops of Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird, this will result in an average price for January of 40.05c/litre, inclusive of Vat, 0.5c/l SCC bonus, Futureproof sustainability bonus, and stability fund support.
A Carbery spokesperson said that dairy markets are “beginning to find balance after the turbulence of 2023 and with global milk supplies decreasing”.
“Forecasts remain unpredictable on the demand side, so we will continue to monitor markets closely to determine future pricing,” the spokesperson added.
