The average European standard milk price for June fell by €0.10/kg but prices varied widely across the continent, with some processors marginally increasing what they paid out.

According to Dutch analysts ZuivelNL, the European average base price before bonuses for June sat at €38.20/100kg, a 5c increase on May's price.

When bonuses are included however, the average price paid by processors decreased to €40.04/100kg.

This 10c drop comes after May saw the first monthly increase in nearly a year.

The fall in prices from last year remains stark, as milk prices on average are €10.31/100kg lower than in June 2025 and €4.86 lower per 100kg than June 2024.

ZuivelNL

ZuivelNL was set up by the Dutch Dairy Organisation and the Dutch Federation of Agriculture and Horticulture in January 2014, with the function of tracking price trends across Europe.

It calculates prices in euro per 100kg standard milk with 4.2% fat, 3.4% protein, total bacterial count (TBC) 24,999/ml and somatic cell count (SCC) of 249,999/ml with VAT excluded.

All three Irish co-ops surveyed as part of the ZuivelNL European milk price analysis are shown to be below the European average.

Before bonuses are included, Dairygold is the leading Irish processor. Their average price of €37.28/100kg has increased by €0.51/100kg.

Tirlán (€36.97/100kg) and Kinisla (€37.22/100kg) both held their respective base prices with no changes, as they look to foster stability in the market.

Price raises were not limited to Ireland as Laiterie des Ardennes, a Belgium-based cooperative rose its price by €0.50/100kg to €35.25/100kg, as a result of better fat and protein prices.

There is currently a lot of competition for milk in Belgium.

Danone (Pas de Calais), France saw the average base price increase by €0.78/100kg, to €42.87/100kg.

Danone pays based on 50% of the A-milk price development being determined by market indicators and 50% by cost price development on the farm.

Emmi saw the largest increase of €5.51/100kg to €70.40/100kg. This is down to the removal of a negative seasonal premium.

German processor DMK Deutsches Milchkontor eG dropped price by €1.99/100kg for June, following the beginning of its merger with Arla in May 2026.

Internationally, Fonterra revised downwards its predicted milk price for 2026 resulting the June price dropping by €1.96 to €35.30/100kg. The exchange rate plays a significant role in determining Fonterra prices.

Heat and the market

ZuivelNL points to the decline in Irish milk deliveries in May as an interesting development. This bucked the European trend as the continent has seen overall increases in deliveries.

However, the report stated that in June, the European heatwave resulted in a sudden but temporary reduction in milk output, which in turn "improved" and led to a slight increase in butter price.

According to the report, the high stocks of milk and "limited demand" did not support further price increases, and butter prices fell again in the course of the month.

Global Dairy Trade (GDT) data shows that the price of butter per metric tonne (MT) has decreased since June and fallen sharply since its spring high.

The GDT for the beginning of August was €4,530/MT, a 24% decrease from the February peak of €5,983/MT.

The table below contains a list of prices for the main dairy products from the latest GDT auction: