Carbery Group has announced its milk price for supplies in April, deciding to hold its price.

The processor said that if this is replicated by co-ops Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird, it will result in an average milk price remaining in line with the previous month, at 40.8c/L.

This milk price includes VAT, a 0.5c/L somatic cell count (SCC) bonus, and the FutureProof sustainability bonus.

The maximum FutureProof bonus available from Carbery Group for 2026 is 1.25c/L.

The FutureProof and SCC bonus figures are quoted excluding VAT.

According to Carbery, its average milk price paid for April supplies, based on actual milk solids, will be 43.21c/L including VAT.

As well as that, Carbery said its Stability Fund contribution will increase from 1.5c/L to 2c/L for the month.

A spokesperson for Carbery Group said: "While dairy market returns continue to remain under pressure, Carbery remains focused on supporting milk price stability for our farmer shareholders during the peak production period.

"The Stability Fund contribution will increase from 1.5c/L to 2.0c/L for the month, reflecting the co-operative’s ongoing commitment to supporting shareholders through market volatility and input cost pressure," the spokesperson added.

Milk prices

In other milk price announcements, Dairygold confirmed this week that it has opted to hold its price.

The board of Dairygold has maintained its April quoted milk price at 37c/L, based on standard constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat.

This price is inclusive of sustainability and quality payments and VAT.

The April milk price equates to an average farm gate milk price at 41.8c/L for the month, based on the average milk solids achieved by Dairygold milk suppliers, the business said.

Commenting on the current state of dairy markets, Dairygold chairperson Pat Clancy said: "Global milk supply growth continues to weigh on overall market returns. However, we have seen some encouraging signs in recent weeks, as protein markets continue to strengthen, although this is being offset by weaker returns from butter and cheese."