Carbery Group has become the latest milk processor to increase its price for supplies in September.

The group has decided to increase its base milk price for August by 2.5c/L.

Carbery said that if this decision is replicated across the four west Cork co-operatives of Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird, it will result in an average milk price of 50.75c/L, an increase from 48.03c/L for August milk.

This price is inclusive of VAT, a 0.5c/L somatic cell count (SCC) bonus and the FutureProof sustainability bonus (the SCC bonus and sustainability bonus are themselves exclusive of VAT).

A spokesperson for Carbery Group said: "The ongoing strengthening of dairy markets through quarter three, and in particular strong cheese prices, are enabling this increase in milk price.

"Carbery will continue to maximise returns from dairy markets for our shareholders," the spokesperson.

So far, all processors have moved to increase their milk prices for September.

Yesterday, (Thursday, October 17), Dairygold announced an increase in its milk price for September, with its board increasing its price by 2.5c/L to 48c/L, inclusive of sustainability and quality bonuses, and VAT.

This equates to an average farm gate milk price of 59.9c/L, based on the average September 2024 milk solids achieved by Dairygold milk suppliers, the business said.

Earlier this week, Kerry Dairy Ireland, the dairy division of Kerry Group, confirmed the milk price it will pay to farmers for supplies in September.

The processor said that the milk price for September is 47.75c/L, including VAT, at constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat.

And last week, Lakeland Dairies became the first processor to announce its price for September, while also announcing a feed rebate for suppliers worth €30/t.

Lakeland will pay a base price of 49c/L in the Republic of Ireland, which is inclusive of its 0.5c/L Sustainability Incentive Payment.

In Northern Ireland, a base price of 40.3p/L will be paid for milk supplied in September, which is inclusive of the 0.5p/L Sustainability Incentive Payment.

The rebate will see a €30/t rebate applied to all Lakeland Dairies dairy manufactured feed purchased by milk suppliers during the four months of November 2024 through February 2025.