Pricing Pressures

The EMB General Assembly took place online this year. Pic: EMB

EMB says future of milk depends on more young farmers

By Jim Cornall

At its biannual General Assembly, which was a digital event this spring, the long-term survival of European milk production was the main topic for the producers coming together as members of the European Milk Board (EMB).

The group said the proposal, Class III Plus, aims to define a better Class I pricing system. Pic: Getty Images/Matt Anderson

Dairy farmer groups propose Class III Plus for better milk pricing

By Jim Cornall

Four US Midwestern dairy groups have announced a Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMO) proposal aimed at creating long-term stability in fluid milk pricing and reducing the likelihood of negative producer price differentials that cut into farmers’ revenue...

The baby care division The division focused on current nutritional trends to expand its portfolio, developing a range based on goat's milk and a vegan infant formula based on GMO-free soya.  Pic: Hochdorf

Profit up despite sales drop at Hochdorf

By Jim Cornall

Swiss company Hochdorf Swiss Nutrition Ltd said during 2020 it largely completed the restructuring it began in summer 2019. The integration of Bimbosan was implemented with its move to Hochdorf in January 2021.

Rabobank says demand will be in the driver’s seat in 2021.

Rabobank sees positive times ahead for dairy

By Jim Cornall

Rabobank said after a whole year of pandemic and lockdowns across the globe, the view of the future is clearer and more hopeful than it has been for months.

 Fonterra said it expects its earnings performance to come under significant pressure in the second half.

Fonterra reveals Beingmate share sale in financial report

By Jim Cornall

Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited has announced its 2021 interim results, which show a total group normalized EBIT of NZ$684m (US$494m), normalized profit after tax of NZ$418m (US$302m) and a decision to pay an interim dividend of 5 cents alongside...

Arla Foods UK is proposing to close its plant in Trevarrian, Cornwall. Pic: Arla Foods UK

Arla looking to close cheese site in UK

By Jim Cornall

Following a decline in site volumes due to loss of own-label cheese contracts, as well as continued instability in foodservice demand due to the ongoing pandemic, dairy cooperative Arla Foods is proposing to end production at its Trevarrian Creamery in...

The European Milk Board says producing organic milk isn't profitable for farmers in Germany.

How sustainable is organic milk?

By Jim Cornall

According to the “Ökobarometer 2019” survey on organic food products conducted by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the demand for organic products from German consumers keeps growing.

Last week MEPs voted on the European Parliament’s position on common agriculture policy reform.

EMB says new crisis instrument is a first step

By Jim Cornall

European Milk Board (EMB) president Sieta van Keimpema said European dairy farmers are happy that the vote on the Common Market Organisation (CMO) in the European Parliament showed many MEPs are aware the EU agricultural sector needs effective crisis...

The FSA has issued more than $176m in program benefits to dairy producers who purchased DMC coverage for 2020. Pic: Getty Images/Andrei Stanescu

May margin triggers Dairy Margin Coverage Program payment

By Jim Cornall

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) says the May 2020 income over feed cost margin was $5.37 per hundredweight (cwt.), triggering the third payment of 2020 for dairy producers who purchased the appropriate level of coverage...

The dairy code came into effect on January 1, 2020, as it was a key recommendation of the ACCC's 2018 dairy inquiry. Pic: Getty Images/JohnCarnemolla

ACCC looking into dairy code compliance

By Jim Cornall

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is monitoring the introduction of the new mandatory dairy code of conduct, including by checking processors’ compliance with the code, and said it is ready to take enforcement action where appropriate.

Dairy Dialog podcast 88: Nutricia, FAIRR, Mettler Toledo, MVP Dairy

Dairy Dialog podcast 88: Nutricia, FAIRR, Mettler Toledo, MVP Dairy

By Jim Cornall

This week, guests on the podcast are Patrick Kamphuis, senior medical affairs director at Nutricia; Teni Ekundare, investor outreach manager, UK & Northern Europe, FAIRR Initiative; Frank Borrmann, market manager SBU Checkweighing, Mettler Toledo;...

Faireswiss milk is available as UHT full and partially skimmed milk in Tetra Edge packaging. Pic: SPAR

SPAR supporting Swiss dairy farmers

By Jim Cornall

All 180 SPAR Supermarkets and convenience stores in Switzerland now offer Faireswiss milk, a brand that guarantees dairy producers a fair purchase price of CHF1.00 ($1.05) per liter.

NFU Scotland said as the country enters the recovery phase, Scottish agriculture should embrace change and seek new market opportunities, and lead in the delivery of climate ambitions and a flourishing environment.

Scottish dairy sector looking to recovery

By Jim Cornall

As countries emerge from lockdown restrictions, Scotland’s dairy farmers are looking to build stronger supply chains and discuss milk contracts as they recover from the impacts of the coronavirus crisis, says NFU (National Farmers’ Union) Scotland.

The ICMSA said milk processors could not ask farmer-suppliers to accept an artificially low price that is contradicted by weeks of hard market data.

ICMSA says milk prices for farmers must reflect recovery

By Jim Cornall

The chairperson of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association’s (ICMSA) dairy committee says his association expects the prices to be announced by milk processors in the coming days for milk supplied in May to reflect a “surging recovery.”

At least $100m per month in dairy product purchases has been earmarked for distribution to the public through food assistance programs. Pic: Getty Images/Matt Anderson

Dairy groups react to $19bn disaster package

By Jim Cornall

The National Milk Producers Federation expressed appreciation to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for including dairy in the US $19bn agriculture disaster assistance package, while noting that more will be needed to stem steep losses in the dairy sector.

The Wisconsin Dairy Alliance says a stronger proposal is that of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association, which is pitching the Dairy CORE Program. Pic: Getty Images/Matt Anderson

Alternatives to Milk Crisis Plan emerge

By Jim Cornall

Last week, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), submitted a request for assistance – The Milk Crisis Plan – to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

The EDA said it is looking for immediate action by the EU.

EDA ramps up pressure for activating Private Storage Aid

By Jim Cornall

The European Dairy Association (EDA) says it is shocked and concerned that EU Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski has not yet responded to its letter, and is counting on EU Member States at next Monday’s videoconference of the Special Committee on Agriculture...

DFA to purchase a portion of Dean Foods’ assets for $433m

By Beth Newhart

After several months of back and forth following the Dean Foods bankruptcy, the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) co-op is acquiring a majority of its assets for $433m. Prairie Farms Dairy will also get a portion for $75m.

Snacks and plant-based products showed growth in Finland.

Valio issues 2019 financials

By Jim Cornall

Finnish dairy cooperative Valio Group’s net sales were €1,787m ($1.98bn) in 2019, representing 3% growth from the previous year.

“In times like this, the resilience of the human spirit is more visible than ever. It’s incredibly uplifting to see so many businesses and individuals stepping up.

Dairy donates time, money and food to the coronavirus pandemic

By Beth Newhart

The coronavirus is upending businesses and economies around the world, and the dairy sector isn't immune. While some aspects of the industry need stability and assistance, others are able to share their wealth and give back.

DFA is re-evaluating its options to submit another bid by the deadline.

DFA is no longer confirmed to purchase Dean Foods

By Beth Newhart

Though it was announced last month that Dean Foods and the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) entered into an asset purchase agreement, that has been mutually terminated. The co-op is still in the running but is no longer the ‘stalking horse’ bidder.