By Bruce Mackie, Chair of NFU Scotland's Milk Committee
For dairy farmers supplying Müller on the Skelmersdale contract, the message remains simple: the current situation cannot continue.
This is something we raised directly with Müller Milk & Ingredients during a recent meeting between NFU Scotland representatives and Müller Milk and Ingredients CEO Rob Hutchinson and Agriculture Director Richard Collins.
The discussion provided an opportunity to hear Müller’s perspective on market conditions, production levels and future investment plans. However, the Union made clear the realities facing Scottish farmers on the Skelmersdale contract.
At around 28p per litre before transport costs, the milk price has left producers unable to cover their cost of production. While the expectation of a milk price increase for September is welcome, it must mark the beginning of meaningful and sustained improvement, not the end of the conversation.
As highlighted recently by a Skelmersdale producer in
a letter to
The Scottish Farmer, there is a significant difference between managing the normal ups and downs of farming and being expected to continually produce milk for a price considerably less than it costs to produce. That position is simply unsustainable.
Pressure continues to build
The impact of prolonged low returns is being felt across dairy businesses. Well-run, well-invested family farms are under significant financial pressure, forcing difficult decisions and creating uncertainty about the future.
This has led to some cutting costs wherever possible, but continued pressure affects far more than business profitability. Investment decisions are being delayed, concerns around health and safety increase, and the strain on mental wellbeing grows. Increasingly, questions are also being raised about whether the next generation can see a future in dairy farming.
While Müller acknowledged these concerns during discussions, recognition of the problem must now be backed by action.
Farmers need support today
The company outlined plans for continued investment at Skelmersdale, including further development of powder and ingredient processing capacity, and confirmed producer meetings are planned for October.
Investment in the future is important, but plans stretching into 2027 provide limited reassurance to farmers struggling with the realities of today.
One young Skelmersdale producer recently summed up the situation in a letter to NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon and the Milk Committee, stating: "We need things to change now, not in six months, not in five years, but now."
That sentiment reflects the frustration being felt by many producers.
These are farmers who have invested heavily in their businesses, maintained high production standards and continued supplying Müller through an exceptionally challenging period. They need a milk price that reflects the cost of production and provides confidence that their businesses, and the next generation, have a viable future.
NFU Scotland will continue to engage constructively with Müller on behalf of affected producers and will work closely with farmers ahead of the October meetings to ensure their concerns are clearly heard.
The message remains clear: farmers need meaningful change, fair returns and confidence in the future of their businesses.