Kerry Dairy Ireland, the dairy division of Kerry Group, has today (Thursday, January 16) announced an increase in its milk price for December supplies.

The processor said that the milk price for December is 50c/L, including VAT, at constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat.

This marks another increase in milk price for Kerry suppliers; up from 49.5c/L last month and 48.5c/L for October.

In terms of EU standard constituents of 3.4% protein and 4.2% butterfat, the price translates to 54.76c/L.

Based on Kerry’s average milk solids for December, the milk price return inclusive of VAT and bonuses is 64c/L.

In a statement, Kerry Dairy Ireland said: "Butter and cheese prices in Europe have eased from recent highs but remain relatively stable within a narrow band. It remains to be seen whether projected volume increases will materialise and how increased supply will impact markets."

Meanwhile, Lakeland Dairies has also announced its milk price for the month of December, with the price maintained at 49.6c/L for milk supplied from the Republic of Ireland, which is inclusive of the 0.5c/L Sustainability Incentive Payment.

Qualifying farmers will also receive a 5c/L out-of-season payment.

For suppliers in Northern Ireland, a base price of 40.8p/L will be paid for milk supplied in December, which is inclusive of the 0.5p/L Sustainability Incentive Payment.

The board of Dairygold Co-Operative Society Limited has also decided to hold its price t 50c/L, based on standard constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat, inclusive of sustainability and quality bonuses and VAT.

The December milk price equates to an average farm gate milk price of 64.8c/L, based on the average December 2024 milk solids, achieved by Dairygold milk suppliers.

The quoted milk price for December, based on EU standard constituents of 3.4% protein and 4.2% butterfat, is 54.5c/L, inclusive of VAT.