First Milk Increases Milk Price

First Milk is increasing the price it pays to its liquid pool by 1.5ppl from 1 October 2011.

Producers in its cheese and balancing pools will receive a 1ppl increase from the same date. According to First Milk, these increases reflect improved market returns and more business efficiencies.

Paisley-based First Milk’s chairman Bill Mustoe commented: "Over the course of the summer we’ve met more than 1000 of our producers at farm roadshows and agricultural shows.

"The message coming through strongly is that they like the progress we are making and they’re looking for more of the same in the future.

"We wake up every morning with one main focus - how can we put more cash in the till to drive sustainable returns for our producers.

"To that end in 2011 alone, we’ve increased our milk pool prices by more than any other national or regional milk buyer, plus paid out two returns on members’ capital.

"Our management team will continue to search out and create value for our farmers through new products, market opportunities, and joint ventures."

First Milk is a farmer-owned food business that supplies and markets 15% of the milk produced in the UK. As an integrated company, it is a major player in the liquid milk, dairy ingredients and cheese sectors.

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