Dairy co-op Arla has frozen its milk price for February, offering some relief to its 3,000 British farmers.
Arla members will be paid 24.87p/litre next month, after a small boost for the thirteenth or bonus payment.
Last week, Farmers For Action chairman David Handley warned the protest group would shut down an Arla plant if prices fell further.
See also: Opinion – what crisis-hit dairy farmers need is honesty
Arla’s UK head of milk and member services Ash Amirahmadi said that while the global dairy auction was creeping upwards, the imbalance between supply and demand remained.
“Markets remain under pressure and this is affecting the entire dairy industry across Europe,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the uncertainty in supply and demand over the coming months continues to impact on market conditions.”
Arla’s decision follows competitor Muller Wiseman’s announcement two weeks ago that it would also hold its February price.
The co-op received good business news this week too, as Morrisons revealed Arla would now supply a bigger share of the supermarket’s liquid milk needs.
http://www.fwi.co.uk/business/arla-freezes-milk-price-easing-pressure-for-dairy-farmers.htm