European Milk Price Increases Mean Irish Milk Price Must at Least Be Held – O’leary

IFA National Dairy Committee Chairman Sean O’Leary has said that, while European dairy prices had eased slightly in the wake of the last GDT auction, the recent February and March milk price increases by Friesland Campina, and the Arla 1.5c/kg increase announced this week for April milk reflected significant earlier improvements in returns.

“Our European colleagues have much flatter seasonal production curves than we do, and were undoubtedly well placed to capitalise on improved returns early this year,” Mr O’Leary said.

“Irish co-ops must at least hold prices into April, firstly because market return improvements over the last couple of months justify it, and secondly because any fear of negative change in price between March and April could impact the superlevy situation,” he concluded.