Dairy firm lifts milk price
FIRST Milk, which owns Campbeltown Creamery, has announced a milk price increase for November.
There will be a one pence per litre (ppl) A price increase for all non-aligned pools and a 5ppl B price increase taking it to 25ppl.
Chairman Clive Sharpe said: ‘As with our 5ppl B price increase for August, this latest uplift to 25ppl gives members a clear indication that we expect our A prices to follow. Later this month we finalise November A prices.
‘First Milk is well positioned to capitalise on the current strength of the market and we are confident we will continue to improve members’ cash flow.’
Graeme Kilpatrick, NFU Scotland’s milk committee chairman, commented: ‘This five pence per litre increase to the B price being paid by First Milk is a strong indication that market returns for dairy products are improving.
‘However, most farmers are selling the clear majority of their milk at an A price, which First Milk is increasing by a minimum of one pence per litre from November.
‘Major milk processors based in Scotland are still failing to deliver a sustainable price back to farmers for their milk.
‘AHDB Dairy figures released recently show that milk production in Great Britain is now 8.2 per cent lower than at the same time last year and market commentators are warning of a cheese and butter shortage at the beginning of 2017.
‘Milk buyers are failing to deliver a clear incentive to farmers to produce milk while being able to pay their winter bills.
‘This current situation is bad for farmers, and it is bad for the shoppers who want to be able to continue to buy Scottish dairy products.’