A typical supplier to North Cork Creameries is suffering a cumulative milk cheque shortfall of over €1,700 excluding VAT for the months of January and February, compared to the average payout for the other co-ops.

This represents a shortfall of 62c per kilo of milk solids, compared to the average price farmers have received nationally. If this trend continues for the year, suppliers to North Cork Creameries face a milk price shortfall of almost €28,000 excluding VAT for a typical supplier with 100 cows.

To be fair, this comparison is slightly unfair as most of the co-ops pay bonuses for milk supplies in January and February, which do not last for the full year. However, North Cork Creameries are also paying a milk price top-up for January and February, with this top-up coming out of co-op reserves.

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Either way, the trend has been set that North Cork suppliers are heading into another season of low milk prices.

While the co-op paid the lowest price in 2025, actual milk price was relatively high.

Gulf in prices

It’s a different story in 2026 however, and every cent counts when margins are low or even negative. How much longer North Cork suppliers can tolerate the gulf in prices remains to be seen.

Elsewhere, Lakeland Dairies, Dairygold and Tirlán top the milk price league for February, but it must be said that all are paying substantial bonuses for February milk, which are not going to continue into March.

Division two of the league is a packed place, with the four west Cork co-ops headed up by Drinagh joined by Aurivo, Arratipp, Kerry Dairy Ireland and Boherbue.

All of the co-ops in division two are paying a 29c to 36c/kg MS milk price top-up.

Such is the difference in price between North Cork and the rest, North Cork has division three all to itself. The difference in price between North Cork and Kerry Dairy Ireland is 36c/kg MS.

For February alone, that’s a difference of €670 excluding VAT in the milk cheque.

Many farmers are wondering where milk price is going next? With increases in the Global Dairy Trade auction and European spot market prices since Christmas, many are expecting to see milk prices increase over the coming months.

The word of caution here is that the aforementioned bonuses are set to come off next month.

Volatile prices

Secondly, product prices are volatile, but so too are energy costs and co-ops are heavy users of gas and oil between collecting and drying milk – so expectations must remain realistic.