Both sides found common ground. Lactalis, the world’s leading dairy products group, and the organization bringing together the majority of French breeders who supply it with milk announced on Friday 1er March, having found “an agreement on the price of milk” for the first quarter 2024.
“The price for the months of January, February and March is thus set at 425 euros” the 1,000 liters for basic milk, i.e. 5 euros more than the manufacturer’s last proposal, according to a joint press release.
The conflict between the French agri-food leader and the National Union of Livestock Breeders Lactalis (Unell), which represents 60% of its conventional milk suppliers, has fueled the anger of farmers in recent weeks.
Mediation
The company has been targeted by several demonstrations. Again on Tuesday, members of the Confédération paysanne took over its stand at the Agricultural Show, to denounce milk prices that were too low. Lactalis and Unell have been in mediation since January 29.
“The parties each welcome this shared agreement. After several weeks of tension and uncertainty, it should provide serenity to build the future”it is written in the press release.
A ” background work “ keep on going “on adjustments to the contractual formula” from which the price of milk is calculated.
This formula takes into account the production costs of breeders as well as the prices at which Lactalis manages to sell the products made from their milk on the national market and for export.