Liquid Milk Council Report May 2020

Milk price and Liquid Milk Market

• For liquid milk producers, the milk price this time of year is the creamery milk price;
• The National Liquid Milk Committee has been actively supporting the milk price lobbying effort by the National Dairy Committee
• Liquid milk retail sales have benefited from a 17% increase in groceries sales in the last 12 weeks (figure not specific to milk) – COVID19 related as the population eats all meals at home;
• For the same reason, the market has suffered from loss of food services for some milk and cream with the closure of restaurants, cafes and canteens;
• Concern over impact on improving wholesale liquid milk prices from the opportunity created for retailers by lower dairy returns and lower creamery milk prices to put the squeeze on;
• The Committee has approached the National Milk Agency to be extra vigilant to ensure non-contracted milk is not used by some dairies or retailers to put pressure on legitimate, contracted suppliers.

Activities since last Council

• The Committee has asked John Finn to remain care taker Chairman until it is possible to have an election – and will elect a Chairman at the first opportunity of a physical meeting when COVID19 restrictions are eased for physical meetings;
• The creation of a broadcast only WhatsApp group for the Committee has allowed to ensure it remains very well informed of IFA and dairy activity;
• The Committee has held a number of virtual joint meetings with the Dairy Committee re. the concerns over processing capacity at peak, and had a virtual meeting on 24^th

Chairman	John Finn
Executive	Catherine Lascurettes