Strong Dairy Markets Should Underpin April Milk Price – IFA

As boards convene to set the milk price for April deliveries, IFA Dairy Chair Martin McElearney said farmers will expect the price to be based on the strong export markets that exist.

As we approach the peak milk supply period, indicators suggest that the dairy export market is in a strong and stable position.

EU dairy commodity prices have shown little change for the first four months of 2025 while this week’s New Zealand GlobalDairyTrade auction saw an increase of 4.6%.

Although the Ornua PPI dropped in April, the Ornua Value Payment was substantial and should alleviate the necessity to cut milk price.

“While it will be difficult to predict how markets will react to the prevailing global uncertainty, the dairy market is currently holding firm with little sign or no signs of weakness,” he said.

“We need buoyant milk cheques for the summer months to carry us through the rest of the year. Current milk price levels, on the face of it, may look positive, but our high input costs and increased regulatory costs means that we need all of it,” he concluded.