Glanbia has become the latest processor to announce its milk price, revealing a reduced milk price for April supplies.

Glanbia will pay its member milk suppliers 31c/L including VAT for April manufacturing milk supplies at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein.

Based on current market returns, Glanbia Ireland (GI) will pay a base milk price for April of 29c/L including VAT for manufacturing milk based on the same solids.

In addition, Glanbia Co-op will make a support payment to members of 2c/L including VAT, for April manufacturing milk at 3.6% fat and 3.3% protein.

The Glanbia Ireland base price and the co-op support payment will be adjusted to reflect the actual constituents of milk delivered by suppliers.

Henry Corbally, Glanbia chairman, said: “We are acutely conscious that adverse weather has made 2018 a very challenging year to date for our milk suppliers. As a result, the board has made a number of decisions that will boost cash flow for members.”

Last week, Lakeland Dairies became the first processor to announce its price, deciding to hold its base price for April.

It will also provide a further payment to support milk producers following on from the recent bad weather and fodder crisis.

Lakeland held the base milk price at 31.78c/L including VAT plus a 1.5c/L support for all April milk supplies; this equates to 33.28c/L including VAT.

Global market conditions remain challenging. While there has been some improvement in skim markets, this is from a record low base and butter returns are carrying milk prices, according to the processor.

“At all times, Lakeland Dairies is committed to paying the maximum possible milk price in line with market conditions,” the co-op said.

This follows on from a base milk price reduction of 2.5c/L for March milk, which was offset by a support payment of 2.5c/L in light of exceptionally challenging conditions. This meant an effective milk price payout for March of 34.56c/L including VAT and lactose bonus.