Written question asked by Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 March 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 March 2012. It was answered by James Paice (Conservative) on Monday, 19 March 2012 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Farmers

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of trends in the price farmers received for milk from 1 April 2011.

Answer

The average milk price in pence per litre paid to UK dairy farmers in each month since April 2011 is given as follows.

	Average price
April 2011	26.41
May 2011	26.38
June 2011	26.62
July 2011	27.21
August 2011	27.59
September 2011	28.13
October 2011	29.09
November 2011	29.45
December 2011	29.33
January 2012	28.84
Sources:
DEFRA, RERAD, DARD

Farm gate prices tend to show a degree of seasonality and are usually at their lowest in late spring or early summer when production is at its peak. In every case, the average monthly figures for 2011-12 are higher than the equivalent month in 2010-11. Ultimately, profit levels are the real issue for farmers and these depend on input costs and efficiency of production as well as milk price.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 100452; 542 c542W
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Prices Milk
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Farmers

Secondary information

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