'Market weakening once more' as Arla maintain December milk prices

Arla Foods has announced it will be maintaining its milk price at 23.04 pence per litre, during December 2015, for its 12,700 owners, including around 3,000 from the UK.

Commenting on the situation, Ash Amirahmadi, head of milk and member services at Arla Foods UK, said: “The firming of the market that we witnessed last month has turned and is weakening once more. Although milk supply in the USA and New Zealand continues to weaken, volumes in the northern part of Europe continue to increase.

”Market trends continue to be mainly supply driven, while demand is stable, however weak as a result of the continuing situation in Russia and China.

”The positive trend for commodity powder has turned negative once more, as demonstrated by the downturn of the last three GDT auctions. Meanwhile, the yellow cheese market continues to be put under pressure by the impact of increased milk production in Northern Europe.

“Positive developments in retail markets in Central Europe, and the support of retailers in the UK, continue particularly on liquid products, and it is these developments that are contributing to the much needed stability in our farmgate milk price.

“Our farmer-owned marque is continuing to build momentum both globally and in the UK and we believe that this proposition, which now features on our Arla branded product range, will help to increase sales for the benefit of our 12,700 owners throughout Europe.”