Carbery Group has announced its milk price for the month of May, following a trend among some processors of reducing prices to farmer suppliers for last month.

Carbery has reduced its milk price for the month of May by 1c/L.

If this decision is replicated across the four west Co. Cork co-ops of Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird, this will result in an average milk price of 51.07c/L, inclusive of VAT, a 0.5c/L somatic cell count bonus, and the FutureProof sustainability bonus.

This average milk price in a reduction on the 52.12c/L average price for April milk supplies that was announced at a similar time last month.

A spokesperson for Carbery Group said: "While dairy markets remain relatively stable, geopolitical developments are creating uncertainty for buyers, while demand has weakened somewhat with supply projected to increase.

"We continue to monitor developments closely with the aim of maximising shareholder returns," the spokesperson added.

So far this month, all but one processor has opted to decrease its price to farmers for May.

Yesterday (Wednesday, June 18) , Tirlán confirmed it will pay a total of 49.08c/L, including VAT, for May creamery milk supplies at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein.

The May milk price is down on the price Tirlán paid for April creamery milk supplies, which was 50.08c/L, including VAT.

Tirlán said that the actual average price paid by Tirlán for May creamery milk, based on delivered constituents, will be 53.62c/L, including VAT.

On Tuesday (June 17), both Kerry Dairy Ireland and Dairygold confirmed their milk prices for May supplies.

Kerry Dairy Ireland announced a price of 50.03c/L including VAT, and quality and sustainability bonuses. This compares to a Kerry Dairy Ireland milk price for April of 50.43c/L, including VAT, and quality and sustainability bonuses.

Based on Kerry Dairy Ireland’s average milk solids for May, the milk price return inclusive of VAT, and quality and sustainability bonuses, is 52.75c/L, the processor said.

The Dairygold board, meanwhile, confirmed a cut to its May quoted milk price of 1c/L to 49c/L, based on standard constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat, inclusive of sustainability and quality payments, and VAT.

Dairygold said that the May milk price equates to an average May farmgate milk price of 53.4c/L, based on the average May milk solids achieved by Dairygold milk suppliers.

Lakeland Dairies was the only processor not to decrease its price.

A price of 49.25c/L (3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein) will be paid for May milk in the Republic of Ireland, inclusive of a 0.5c/L unconditional bonus as well as the 0.5c/L Sustainability Incentive Payment.

In Northern Ireland, a price of 40.3p/L will be paid for milk supplied in May which is also inclusive of the 0.5p/l unconditional bonus on all milk supplied in May as well as the Sustainability Incentive Payment.