The UK’s largest dairy processor, Arla, has increased its April milk price by 0.32p/litre from 1 April.

A spokesman said the April increase was a result of last quarter’s average exchange rate being introduced into the co-operative’s currency smoothing mechanism.

The rise means Arla’s 2,400 UK dairy farmers will receive 27.43p/litre based on constituent contents of 4.2% butterfat, 3.4% protein.

For ease of comparison, the liquid price will be 26.39p/litre based on 4% fat and 3.3% protein from next month.

The small rise ends three consecutive drops that had seen the Arla price fall by 5.2p/litre from the start of the year.

“Commodity market prices have stabilised over the past few weeks, however protein prices remain at record low values,” said Arla Foods amba board director, Johnnie Russell.

“The recent increases in butterfat and cheese prices have diminished with these prices also stabilising around their February levels.”

Source: Farmers Weekly