News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – Several adjustments in milk prices will result in a consumer price increase of five cents per litre in stores effective Feb. 1. The New Brunswick Farm Products Commission announced the increase today.

“The price of milk in New Brunswick will rise 2.7 per cent over last year's price, which reflects the significant increases that dairy producers and processors have had in their input costs," said Robert Shannon, commission chair.

The increase will provide dairy producers with an additional 2.81 cents per litre. Fluid milk processors will receive an additional 1.3 cents per litre. Retailers will continue to receive their standard markup.

"The commission feels that by implementing these adjustments, it has succeeded in upholding its mandate of balancing the interests of producers and processors while maintaining competitive prices for New Brunswick consumers," Shannon said.

Prices under the School Milk Program will remain unchanged for the current school year. Under this program, processors and producers in recent years have been subsidizing the price of milk for school children in New Brunswick by about $1.3 million per year.

"I want to thank the dairy producers and processors for their continued subsidization of excellent quality milk for kindergarten to Grade 12 students," Shannon said.

The New Brunswick Farm Products Commission represents producers, processors and consumers and is responsible for setting the minimum retail and the wholesale price of fluid milk products in New Brunswick.