Dairy Crest today announces that it will increase the milk price it pays to its Davidstow farmers by 2ppl* from 1st October 2017, on top of the 1ppl increase it made in September, bringing the price to 31ppl. This has been agreed with Dairy Crest Direct (DCD).

Chris Thomson, Group Procurement Director at Dairy Crest, said:

"As the market continues to strengthen, we want to reflect this in the price we pay to our farmers. We are proud that the Dairy Crest contract has paid a leading milk price over many years and in particular, over the last 12 months. We hope that the new price for October, on top of the previously announced increase for September, comes as welcome news to our farmers."

DCD Chairman, Steve Bone, commented:

"We are pleased that DCD has reached agreement with Dairy Crest on this further increase to the milk price giving our members greater confidence as we head into autumn."

* Manufacturing standard litre milk prices as published in milkprices.com

For further information please contact:

Chris Thomson - Group Procurement Director
01372 472447

Notes to Editors

About Dairy Crest

Dairy Crest is the leading British-owned dairy company. Our main consumer brands are Cathedral City, Country Life, Clover and Frylight. We work with some 360 farmers in the South West.

Dairy Crest has invested significantly at its Davidstow creamery and is now manufacturing demineralised whey powder and galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), a lactose-based prebiotic, both widely used in infant formula.

About Dairy Crest paying a competitive milk price

1. Milk price consistently increased from August 2016 to February 2017

Dairy Crest announces six consecutive months of increases in its milk price taking it to 30ppl in February 2017, an overall uplift of 38% since August last year.

2. Milk price held for March 2017, April 2017 and May 2017

Dairy Crest maintains its milk price at 30ppl from March to May 2017.

3. Milk price reduced slightly in June and July 2017 and committed to then remain unchanged until the end of September 2017

Dairy Crest provides visibility to its farmers by announcing in April 2017 a 1ppl milk price decrease for June 2017 followed by a further 1ppl decrease for July 2017, with a commitment to hold the price until the end of September 2017.

4. Milk price increased in September 2017

Dairy Crest announces a 1ppl increase for September 2017 to 29ppl, in spite of previously stating that it would hold prices at 28ppl until the end of September 2017.