Cono accelerates reduction of milk price in September

Cono Kaasmakers has, like many other dairy companies, accelerated the reduction of the milk price. While in August there was a reduction of 50 cents from the milk price, for September the reduction is five times that amount. This causes the average paid milk price (the Cono price) to drop from €56.70 to €54.20 per 100 kilos. This price also includes the average of all paid bonuses. The basic milk price without bonuses would then come to €50.44 per 100 kilos for September, with a maximum price of €56.44 per 100 kilos. Moreover, since July, members have been receiving an extra premium on a monthly basis. This is a monthly advance of the Reward for Results premium. For 2025, this advance has been set at €0.50 per 100 kilos of milk. Previously, the final premium was paid out annually in June/July of the following calendar year. Now it is received monthly and in advance. Cream and powder In particular, the significant decline in the prices of cream and milk powder is causing the reduction of the milk price, according to Cono. The cheese maker further points out that European and global milk production is at a high level, causing the Dutch spot market to even briefly fall below 30 cents per kilo of milk. Cono also states that it has a lot of milk that, despite good cheese sales, cannot all be processed into cheese. The company expects that the milk will continue to flow in the coming period, making a quick recovery doubtful. Image versus grazing rules Meanwhile, Cono is in discussion with the members about grazing, which is actually mandatory at the cooperative. An increasing number of members find it increasingly difficult to comply with changed regulations and environmental requirements, and want to be able to handle it differently, while Cono has strongly linked its image to that grazing. Last year, a dispute over this led to the exit of a small group of members with a large volume of milk. Now there is again a group of members who say they cannot live with the grazing rules as they are now. They would represent about 20 million kilos of milk. In response to pressure from them, a pilot has started with so-called 'welfare grazing'. In this case, more flexible grazing rules apply, and Vlog-feeding is no longer mandatory. Many members have signed up for this pilot, more than can participate. This leads to further discussion, which should be concluded at the upcoming autumn meetings.