Carbery Reduces Base Milk Price for First Time in 2025

For the first time in 2025, Carbery has reduced its base milk price, with the price for March milk reduced by 1c/L. 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 52.12c/L, inclusive of VAT, 0.5c/L somatic cell count (SCC) bonus and FutureProof sustainability bonus.

A spokesperson for Carbery said: "Our milk price has been strong since the beginning of the year. Our adjustment this month is bringing milk price more in line with actual market performance." According to the processor, the FutureProof bonus available for 2025 has increased by 0.25c/L to a total of 1.25c/L.

Yesterday (Thursday, April 17), Tirlán announced that it will pay a total of 50.08c/L (including VAT) for March creamery milk supplies at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein. Meanwhile, Dairygold has maintained its March quoted milk price at 50c/L, which includes sustainability and quality bonuses, and VAT.

The quoted Dairygold milk price for March, based on EU standard constituents of 3.4% protein and 4.2% butterfat, is 54.5c/L, inclusive of VAT. Kerry Dairy Ireland confirmed its price to farmer suppliers for March at 51.43c/L, including VAT and quality and sustainability bonuses.

Lakeland Dairies kept the price for milk supplied in March unchanged from the previous month. A base price of 48.75c/L will be paid for March milk in the Republic of Ireland, inclusive of the 0.5c/L Sustainability Incentive Payment. In Northern Ireland, a base price of 39.8p/L will be paid for milk supplied in March, inclusive of the 0.5p/L Sustainability Incentive Payment.