Cost of producing milk on Island jumps by 60 per cent

Isle of Man Creamery confirms prices will rise from Monday

The price of milk on the Isle of Man will increase from Monday (1 August).

Isle of Man Creamery says it needs to pay farmers more for each litre of milk produced in order to keep their businesses and the industry operating.

It has revealed the price of producing a litre of milk has increased by 60 per cent so far this year.

The price changes are as follows:

• 500ml plant-based carton OLD: 65p NEW: 75p
• 1 litre plant-based carton OLD: £1.15 NEW: £1.35
• 1.75 litre plant-based carton OLD: £1.90 NEW: £2.15

The retail price of milk is controlled by the Isle of Man Milk Price Order which is set by the Isle of Man Milk Marketing Committee.

The committee includes members of the Office of Fair Trading and National Farmers Union and is chaired by the Environment, Food and Agriculture minister.

The MPO has been reviewed – and now increased – in order to help keep the dairy industry on the Island viable and ensure a safe local milk and dairy supply.

Findlay Macleod, the managing director of the Isle of Man Creamery, said: “We are all living and operating in unprecedented times.

“Significant world events have greatly impacted the costs we are facing in both the farming and manufacturing and processing elements of our business.

“Farmers have seen the cost of producing a litre of milk rise by 60 per cent so far this year.

“There have been huge increases in the cost of feed, fertilizer, fuel and power and in order to cover these costs Isle of Man Creamery (the cooperative) needs to pay the farmers more for each litre of milk they produce in order for them to keep their businesses and the industry operating.

 “This small increase to the cost of milk will help all local milk suppliers and the wider dairy industry navigate these extremely trying times.”