The wholesale price of Jersey milk has risen by 4p per litre.

Jersey Dairy says the 2.8% increase is because of rising operating costs, such as of packaging, payroll, power bills and freight.

Managing Director, Eamon Fenlon said: “We have worked extremely hard to find efficiencies wherever we can throughout the year at Jersey Dairy, as have our farmers on their farms, but like all other businesses, we have continued to experience increased costs over the last year.”

An independent profits review of local diary farms also determined that the dairy should increase the price paid to farmers for the milk they supply, so that they can continue to invest in the industry.

Mr Fenlon says it is vital farmers can do that:

“Sustainability of our farms is paramount to ensure an on-going supply of fresh milk and the future of our iconic Jersey cow in its Island home. In addition to their environmental stewardship of our beautiful countryside, our farmers make a significant contribution to local food security with the wide range of products produced from the milk they supply to Jersey Dairy.

“We are very mindful of the cost-of-living challenges faced by many of our customers and have kept this increase to a minimum and we hope they understand why we must implement this price increase"

It is up to retailers whether they pass the higher wholesale price onto customers. If they do, it will push the price of a litre to around £1.64.

In Guernsey, the wholesale price of milk rose by 4.4% last week, following a 4% increase in July 2024.

A litre has topped £2 in some shops there.

Jersey Milk prices rose by 7 p a litre in January 2024,  15p per litre in January 2023 and by 8p per litre in February 2022.