A group of 6 dairy farmers who supply milk to Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods has set up an association. As Holland Dairy Producers they want to help improve the position of the dairy farmer in the chain. They call on colleagues to join the initiative.
The initiators state in a statement that they no longer wish to express their dissatisfaction at Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods on an individual basis, but are going to work together as suppliers. Dairy farmer Dick van Selm, spokesperson for the association, says that Holland Dairy Producers wants to be a "professional and constructive discussion partner for the management of Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods".
Margins negative
Van Selm points to the precarious financial situation on dairy farms. "The cost price continues to rise, while the selling price seems to be nailed down. The margins are now negative, which means that the return of dairy farmers is too low." Dairy farms invest in sustainability and the supply of high-quality milk. "But our efforts are not paid for. Something is only sustainable, especially in this sector, if it is also economically sustainable."
The dairy farmers strive for transparency in the milk price, such as the structure, costs on the settlement and distribution of the margin. They would also like to have a say in the extra-statutory requirements that Vreugdenhil sets for business operations and milk.
A spokeswoman for Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods said in a response to the dairy farmers' initiative that she had been in talks with the group for some time. "And we are certainly open to discussing the themes raised by them further." The dairy group declares that it attaches great importance to a good relationship with its dairy farmers. "We discuss important themes in the various sounding board groups in which the dairy farmers are represented."
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.
