The farmgate milk price for dairy farmers will be determined independently by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC).
Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Limited (FCDCL) chief executive officer Vimal Chand made the comment following calls made by dairy farmers to increase the farmgate price of raw milk to around $1.50 to $1.80 a litre. He said the farmgate price was increased by 5 per cent, which was made effective from July 1 this year.
“So, the milk price had gone up from $1.06 to $1.12. There has been a slight increase,” Mr Chand said. “We are negotiating and talking with the Fiji Dairy Limited (FDL) if that price can be further increased.” However, he said they wanted the FCCC to determine the price increase for transparency and fair returns to the farmers. Meanwhile, Mr Chand acknowledged the $4 million budget allocation for dairy development, which would fund calf rearing, milk topper price, milk cartage from farm to the chilling centre, pasture establishment, livestock feed and chemicals, fodder development, and automated collection system on the farms, etcetera.
He added some money had also been allocated for dairy advisory offices and veterinary services.
