Milk prices hold firm in June despite record spring flush

Dairy producers appear to be in a relatively strong position this spring, with farmgate milk prices holding firm despite high volumes of milk.

Prices are roughly 8p/litre above this time last year, and a favourable milk-to-feed price ratio has been encouraging farmers to boost production.

This has led to an exceptionally large spring flush, with daily volumes peaking at an all-time high of 39.02m litres on 4 May.

See also: Cheese production to restart at Mona Dairy site this month

Milk deliveries have remained strong since and were up by roughly 5% on the year during May.

Soumya Behera, senior dairy analyst at AHDB, said: “The spring flush this season has been supported by favourable weather and dairy economics.

“Last milk season [2024-25] recorded the highest milk volume since the 2020-21 season, and the new season [2025-26] has flown out of the starting blocks and looks set to be another record year.”

Milk production is looking set to stay high for some time, with tighter supplies on the Continent helping to support prices and incentivise production further.

Milk price holds

Arla, Muller, First Milk, Barbers and Saputo have all recently announced price holds.

Arla will continue to pay its producers 48.02p/litre for a manufacturing litre into June and an organic price of 58.01p/litre.

The processor said global milk supplies were increasing slightly but retail sales and commodity markets were stable.

Muller has announced it will stand on at 42.25p/litre in July for a liquid litre, including its quarterly advantage premium.

First Milk has held its milk price at 44.85p/litre for July for a standard manufacturing litre, after a 0.5p/litre reduction in June.

Barbers Cheesemakers will retain its manufacturing milk price at 45.08p/litre for July.

Meanwhile, Saputo has held its manufacturing price in July at 43p/litre.