Milk Prices Contribute To Rise In API

The overall agricultural output price index increased by 2.3% in November, the first time it has risen since May 2013. Even though the API output price index rose this November from 118.1 to 120.7 it is still 2.4% lower than November last year. The API for all inputs fell by 0.2% from 112.9 to 112.7 and is 2.1% lower than last year.

The continued increase in milk prices was one of the main contributors to the rise in output prices. Both milk and milk products were still in global demand for the sixth month in a row. Prices are up 15% on last year. Cattle prices are continuing to fall after the high prices seen in the summer.

Input prices haven't changed much. Fertiliser prices are 18% lower than last year but expected shipments of straight nitrogen fertiliser from North Africa were delayed due to regional problems resulting in a slight rise in price.

Record Milk Prices Again

Prices paid to dairy farmers have increased again in October giving another record high UK average farm gate milk price of 33.5p/litre. It is a 15% increase over the year (29.1p/l in October 2012).

The average butterfat content of UK milk was 4.08%, 2.6% lower than last year and the average protein content was 3.31%, 0.02% lower than last year.

Farm Gate Milk Prices Hit New Record

Farm gate milk prices increased by almost 1p/litre to reach yet another record high price of 32.95p/l on average in September according to estimates from Defra.

The average butterfat content of UK milk was 4% down from 4.1% in September 2012. The average protein content was 3.33% slightly up on the 3.29% of September last year.

Farm Gate Price Of Milk Continues To Rise

The average farm gate price of milk in the UK in April 2013 was 30.09 pence/litre. In April 2012 the price per litre was 2.26p less than this year. The average butterfat content was 4.1% (4.06% in April 2012) and the protein content was 3.22% (3.27% in April 2012). The price of milk has risen every month since the new year after a fall between December and January.

January Farm Gate Price Of Milk Higher Than Last Year

The average UK farm gate price of a litre of milk increased by 3.06p over last January to 28.84p/litre. The average butterfat content was 4.14% compared with 4.03% last year and the average protein content was the same as last year at 3.28%.

Farm Gate Price Of Milk Up By 2.84p/litre In August

The UK average farm gate price of milk increased by 2.84 p/litre to 27.54p/litre in August 2011 compared to August 2010. The average butterfat content was 4% compared with 3.85% in August last year and 3.92 in July and the average protein content was the same as last year at 3.25% but higher than the 3.23% of July. The farm gate milk price in July was 27.2p/litre (Prices exclude retrospective bonus payments made by purchasers).

Milk Price Rises 2.7p/litre

The farm gate price of milk increased by 2.7p/litre to 26.34p/litre in May 2011. The average butterfat content of UK milk was 3.91% compared with with 4.02% in April and 3.8% in May 2010 and the average protein content was 3.24% compared with 3.22% in April and 3.27% in May last year.