Dairy cows on William Irvine’s farm. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
The Ulster Farmers’ Union say Northern Ireland’s dairy farmers are under severe pressure this winter as farm gate prices for milk are back and are expected to decline by a third into the new year. The price paid to farmers for milk will fall below production cost, reflected in the September base for NI which sits at approximately 35.5-36p per litre, making it an untenable situation for farmers long-term.
UFU deputy president John McLenaghan stated, “It’s a bleak outlook for our dairy farmers here in Northern Ireland this winter. Whole milk has seen an inflationary increase of 12.6% since 2020 and though retail prices continue to rise significantly – by around 37% in five years – NI farmers, in many cases, are seeing a decrease in the price received for their product.
“This imbalance between low farm gate milk prices and premium rates for milk in stores is a result of big supermarket chains using milk as a loss leader to draw customers in. It not only leaves farmers struggling to make a fair wage, but consumers aren’t seeing the benefit of these low milk rates at the checkout either,” continued the deputy president.
“The falling milk prices are putting immense pressure on our dairy farmers, while food inflation continues to put financial pressure on the consumer and the reality is, it’s unsustainable. If farmers continue getting shortchanged for the products that stock our shelves, they will inevitably be forced out of business; supplies will drop, food security will worsen and prices at the till will continue to soar.”
“The Ulster Farmers’ Union will continue to advocate for the fair treatment of Northern Ireland’s dairy farmers and to promote the vital role they play in our agri-food supply chain.”
