Carbery has today (Friday, January 17), become the latest processor to announce its milk price for December supplies.

The processor said that it has maintained its base milk price for December.

If this decision is replicated across the four West Cork co-ops; Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird, this will result in an average milk price of 53.15c/L.

This price is inclusive of VAT, an 0.88c/L somatic cell count (SCC) bonus and the FutureProof sustainability bonus, both excluding VAT.

“Dairy markets are stable at the start of 2025 and we will continue to monitor markets closely to maximise returns for our shareholders," a spokesperson for Carbery said.

Yesterday, Kerry Dairy Ireland, the dairy division of Kerry Group, announced an increase in its milk price for December supplies.

The processor said that the milk price for October is 50c/L, including VAT, at constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat.

This marks another increase in milk price for Kerry suppliers; up from 49.5c/L last month and 48.5c/L for October.

In terms of EU standard constituents of 3.4% protein and 4.2% butterfat, the price translates to 54.76c/L.

Based on Kerry’s average milk solids for December, the milk price return inclusive of VAT and bonuses is 64c/L.

The board of Dairygold Co-Operative Society Limited also announced yesterday that its quoted milk price will be maintained for December.

The processor has decided to hold its price at 50c/L, based on standard constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat, inclusive of sustainability and quality bonuses and VAT.

The December milk price equates to an average farm gate milk price of 64.8c/L, based on the average December 2024 milk solids, achieved by Dairygold milk suppliers.

The board also confirmed that all contracted milk suppliers will receive a 0.5c/L additional payment, including VAT on 2024 milk supply.

Earlier this week, Lakeland Dairies confirmed its milk price for the month of December and said that the loyalty payment announced last month will be paid out.

The processor has decided to hold its price at 49.6c/L for milk supplied from the Republic of Ireland, which is inclusive of the 0.5c/L Sustainability Incentive Payment. Qualifying farmers will also receive a 5c/L out-of-season payment.

For suppliers in Northern Ireland, a base price of 40.8p/L will be paid for milk supplied in December, which is inclusive of the 0.5p/L Sustainability Incentive Payment.

The Northern Ireland base price has also been held from last month. A 3p/L out-of-season payment will be made on top of the base price.

In both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, the loyalty payment announced last month will be made at a rate of 0.8c/L and 0.65p/L respectively.

The loyalty payment applies to all milk supplied in 2024 for suppliers on both sides of the border.