DAIRY farmers across Wales are welcoming autumn milk price rises from a number of processors.

First Milk, Meadow Foods and Glanbia Cheese all announced 1ppl increases in the price they pay for their suppliers’ milk on the same day.

First Milk was first off the mark this morning (Monday, September 23rd), announcing the rise for its manufacturing and liquid pools, which will move the standard litre prices to 32ppl and 31.85ppl respectively from November 1st.

These increases mean that price rises since April equate to 3.5ppl for First Milk's manufacturing producers and 2.7ppl for those in their liquid pool, in addition to an 8% return on capital that has been paid this year.

In a letter to members, First Milk chairman Bill Mustoe said the work promoting its core brands and new product launches have helped “drive added margin”.

Just a few hours later, Meadow Foods also announced a 1ppl rise from November 1st, bringing its standard litre price to 32.25ppl. The increase will be added to its flat rate, ensuring all producers receive the full benefit of the increase.

Simon Chantler, executive chairman at Meadow Foods, said: “We have again made sure the price increase is on the flat rate element of the contract so producers get the benefit of the increase in full. We have been very successful this summer recruiting new producers and this is down to our simple price schedules where producers can achieve the headline prices.”

Glanbia Cheese suppliers will get the benefit of their 1ppl increase a month earlier, when its standard price per litre goes up to 32.6p from October 1st.

The announcements follow rises from Muller Wiseman and Sainsbury’s last week, with the majority of the market also expected to follow suit soon.