ICMSA say new Kerry Forward Price Scheme is “the benchmark” for other Co-ops and processors.

The Chairperson of ICMSA’s Dairy Committee has described the latest forward price scheme offering by Kerry Co-op as extremely encouraging and Ger Quain said it was a ‘vote of confidence’ in dairy prospects through Peak Production and into Q3.  Noting that the Kerry scheme offers a base of 34.8cpl at 3.3% protein and 3.6% fat for milk between March and October this year, Mr. Quain said the offer effectively supported ICMSA’s calls for February milk prices increases and showed that 34cpl is a very realistic target for the remaining milk pool outside the ring-fenced forward price.

“This forward price scheme is one of the highest offerings in terms of fixed contracts to dairy farmers in Ireland and sets the standard for where fixed contracts will need to go in the future. Irish dairy farms don’t need to see milk price hitting a plateau that results in the real value or purchasing power of their income diminishing against surging input costs. What’s required is a milk price that increases steadily in line with the wider economy and always ahead of inputs. This offering by Kerry is the benchmark for other Co-ops and processors”, concluded Mr. Quain.

Ends    10 March 2021

Ger Quain, 086-3623041

Chairperson, ICMSA Dairy Committee

Or

Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758

ICMSA Press Office