The average price received by cow farmers for milk last June rose by about 30 percent compared with the same month a year earlier, according to data released this Thursday by Sadei, the Asturian Society for Industrial Economic Studies. Although the numbers show a price increase, regional cattle farms and agricultural organizations are sounding alarms and raising their voices. The rising costs and the looming impact on dairy operations are expected to weigh heavily on cow milk farms that began registering in April. Industry voices from Asaja and Ura have urged the Principality of Asturias to establish a rapid support mechanism through a dedicated hotline.
Sadei’s data track the average price per liter of cow’s milk. It reached just over 60 cents in the first quarter of this year and is projected to ease below that mark in the coming spring after a period of sustained increases in 2022 tied to the Ukraine conflict and higher costs for raw materials. Those cost pressures also show up in the bills that livestock farms juggle, including electricity and animal feed. For context, the baseline price per liter of cow’s milk in early 2020, just before the COVID-19 outbreak, stood below 35 cents, a notable pre-pandemic reference point.
The livestock associations in Asturias have expressed concern about how this price shift could affect specialized cow milk farms. They conveyed their worries to the new Minister of Rural Affairs, Marcelino Marcos Líndez, emphasizing that the situation is multifaceted and that droughts could push up the price of corn. They stressed that urgent measures are needed and noted that about 100 farms closed last year, with fears of a similar trend continuing this year. Ramón Artime, head of Asaja in Asturias, highlighted the industry’s responsibility in the current dynamics and warned that a farmed industry without farmers risks collapsing.
Borja Fernández, secretary general of Unión Rural Asturiana, analyzed recent price movements for one liter of milk and warned that the downward trend could persist into September. He noted a sequence where farmers in Central Lechera were expected to see reductions of around 61 cents per liter in December 2022, followed by68 a decline later, and predicted continued softness into the following months. He also pointed out that rising fuel costs and the corn needed for livestock feed contribute to the pressure on profitability. A drought threatens to worsen harvests and push feed costs higher, which could force more farms to consider drastic measures. In discussions with a regional consultant, Fernández stated that prolonged stress on margins could trigger additional farm retirements or exits from the industry.
The unions warn that farm closures could be brutal, with many cows potentially heading to slaughter if relief does not arrive soon. They are pressing for an immediate regional response, arguing that waiting for European or national ministries may be too slow given the local consequences. In Asturias, the call for decisive action remains a central theme as the sector seeks to preserve livelihoods and the integrity of local dairy production, while acknowledging the broader economic forces at play that influence feed costs, energy prices, and drought risks.