Dairy farmer members of the Müller Wiseman Milk Group (MWMG) who receive the company's Standard milk price are set to receive a price increase to 32.50 pence per litre (ppl) from 21^st October 2013.

The rise comes shortly after the announcement that suppliers who sell their milk through the alternative Müller Wiseman Formula contract, which is linked to more volatile global commodity market returns, will receive 34.55ppl from October through to December.

Making the announcement on Tuesday, Müller Wiseman confirmed that the majority of its dairy farmer suppliers on the Standard or Formula price option are on track to receive an additional lump sum incentive of up to 1.0ppl, triggered by increased production, at the end of this milk year. 

Martin Armstrong, Supply Chain Planning Director for Müller Wiseman Dairies said, "This increased price reflects continuing pressure on UK milk supplies against a backdrop of strengthening global dairy commodities. As we enter the autumn and winter months it is important to act in order to ensure that we can secure the milk required to meet our customers' requirements."

Taking a stab at farmers who have organised fresh demonstrations over past months, saying their continued protests are in response to artificially low milk prices and a lack of transparency, Müller Wiseman Directos Armstrong continued, "The Board has worked tirelessly in the latest discussions and it is their reasoned and informed arguments, not illegal blockades organised by people who do not supply us, which have been pivotal in the agreement of this latest increase."

His comments follow a blockade at the Müller Wiseman plant in North Shropshire on Saturday. Farmers at the Market Drayton site said that price rises since 2012 have been outpaced by increased production costs.