Aurivo, the processor based throughout the west of Ireland, is the most recent processor to announce a milk price increase for May.

Following a board meeting on Friday, May 16, the base milk price was increased by 1c/L; Aurivo suppliers will receive a milk price of 32c/L including VAT for milk manufactured last month.

The price increase reflects improved market returns, particularly the record-high butter prices, according to Aurivo.

In April, the processor decided to set its milk price at 31c/L including VAT; the board decided to remove its early calving bonus of 1.4c/L, which was in place during February and March.

Aurivo milk suppliers enjoyed eight months of consecutive monthly milk price increases up until February of this year; the milk price for March supplies remained static.

On Thursday, June 15, the board of Arrabawn Co-op decided to announce a milk price increase of 1c/L for May supplies; the processor will offer a base price of 32.75c/L including VAT.

The most recent milk price increase from Arrabawn, prior to this announcement, came in January.

Last week, a number of processors also decided to announce milk price increases. Kerry, Lakeland Dairies and Glanbia all decided to raise their respective milk prices by 1c/L for May.

Kerry revealed that it will be increasing its base price to 32c/L including VAT; this milk price is based on milk supplied at 3.3% protein and 3.6% fat.

The processor held its milk price at 31c/L including VAT for three consecutive months prior to this announcement.

Meanwhile, both Lakeland Dairies and Glanbia revealed plans to up their May milk price to 32c/L including VAT.

This was the first time that Lakeland Dairies has announced a milk price increase in three months; the most recent increase, of 1c/L, from the processor came in the first month of the year.

Glanbia’s milk price increase also follows on from three consecutive months of the processor deciding to hold its base price at 31c/L including VAT. Prior to this month, the last milk price increase of 1c/L from Glanbia came in January.

Dairygold is expected to announce its milk price for May supplies in the coming days.