As the prices of various foods continue to rise, the price of milk has become inevitable.
A group of producers who sell raw milk mainly in the Kanto region has announced that they have agreed with three major dairy manufacturers to raise the price of raw milk, which is the raw material of milk, by 10 yen per kilogram from the shipment in November. did.
With the largest price increase ever in line with 2008, the group is seeking understanding that the management of dairy farmers is in a critical situation.
"Kanto Raw Milk Sales Agricultural Cooperative Association" = Kanto Raw Milk Sales Federation held a board meeting in Tokyo on the 20th, which is made by vendors selling raw milk produced in 1 metropolitan area and 6 prefectures in Kanto, Yamanashi prefecture, and Shizuoka prefecture. As a result of negotiations with three dairy manufacturers, it has been announced that it has agreed to raise the price of raw milk, which is the raw material for milk, from 119 yen per kilogram to 10 yen from the shipment in November.
The price of raw milk is decided according to the purpose such as butter and cheese in addition to milk, but it is usually decided every year.
Like this time, it is the first time to raise the price in the middle of the year since 2013, and the range of price increase per time is the largest ever, along with 2008.
The Kanto Raw Milk Sales Federation is seeking understanding that the import price of grains that feed dairy cows has soared due to the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the sharp depreciation of the yen, and the management of dairy farmers is in a difficult situation.
Chairman Ichiro Kikuchi said, "Honestly, it took time to agree between the producer's request and the manufacturer's idea. I requested the manufacturer to raise the price by 15 yen, but there was a strong concern that it would bounce back to the production site. I'm not always satisfied, but considering the exhaustion of the production site, I was asked to answer immediately for 10 yen. "
Among the major dairy manufacturers that have agreed to raise prices this time, "Morinaga Milk Industry" said, "It is thought that it will be necessary to review the prices of some products. We would like to continue working to expand consumption after sharing issues with producer groups." I have commented.
In addition, "Megmilk Snow Brand" and "Meiji" say, "We would like to consider product prices based on future market trends."
Dairy farmer "It is difficult to manage due to soaring feed"
Dairy farmers are asking consumers to understand that rising feed prices are making their operations more difficult than ever.
At the dairy farm of Taro Kamo, a dairy farmer in Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture, about 180 dairy cows are bred.
We are feeding compound feed from grass and corn, and the price has been raised due to the influence of the new coronavirus, but the price has continued to rise due to the rapid depreciation of the yen and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. It means that there is.
We are making efforts to mix domestic rice to keep costs down, but the feed cost required for one dairy cow is about 1500 yen per day, which is about 1.5 times higher than before.
On the other hand, the purchase price of raw milk that can be produced by one cow a day is about 3000 yen, which means that management is in a very difficult situation when the feed cost, utility cost and labor cost are deducted.
There is a possibility that feed prices will continue to rise, and with soaring electricity and fuel costs, it is necessary to take steps to reduce labor costs depending on the future situation.
Mr. Kamo said, "I have been involved in dairy farming for about 20 years, but this is the first time that the price of feed has been raised so much, and some of my colleagues have been forced out of business. It's not easy to reduce or adjust shipments. I want you to pick up domestic dairy products and protect Japanese dairy. "
Negotiations to raise prices proceed in other regions of the country
It is said that there are a total of 10 organizations nationwide that are entrusted with the sale of raw milk by dairy farmers, but according to the Kanto Raw Milk Sales Federation, negotiations for price increases are underway in other regions, and this decision is made in other regions. It is said that it may affect the discussion of.
Expert "Last opportunity to create a domestic feed production system"
Yosuke Chomei, an associate professor at the Graduate School of Hiroshima University, who specializes in agricultural economics, said, "There haven't been many examples of sudden price increases so far. Producers are gradually losing their management strength due to soaring feed prices. On the other hand, manufacturers are also struggling to deliver products to consumers at the lowest possible prices. "
Regarding the current issues, "The national government will take policies to increase total raw milk production by increasing the number of dairy farmers and the number of dairy cows, while most of the feed depends on overseas. In such a situation, the brakes were applied while stepping on the accelerator. There was a problem that I was producing in an unreasonable state. "
Regarding the future, "The importance of making feed in Japan is being criticized, but it is difficult to take a step forward. If you rely on overseas feed, the same situation may occur in the future. This time, a system that can produce feed in Japan I strongly feel that this is the last opportunity to make. "