It has become an event awaited every year: the cheesemaker Bel and the OP (producer organization) APBO announce at the beginning of December their agreement on the price of milk for the coming year. Welcome information at the time when commercial negotiations begin with distribution on the prices of products under commercial brands.
The two partners thus estimate that the average sustainable MonBBlait price at 38/32 will amount to €485/1,000 l for conventional next year, up €29/1,000 l compared to that of 2024. agreement includes a labor revaluation of €27/1,000 l in the base price.
In detail, over the first five months of the year the base price is €460/1,000 l of conventional milk. Added to this is a premium of €21/1,000 l linked to grazing (at least 150 days per year) and GMO-free feed. All breeders receive this bonus.
An increase in volumes of 10 Ml
From 1is June, the dairy and the OP wish to accelerate the move towards dairy production with a low impact on greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity. Breeders will be able to choose between eight levers to move in this direction. This involves, for example, covering the soil, abandoning imported soya and palm oil, increasing protein autonomy (fodder and concentrates), preserving and developing hedges, etc. The use of a food additive (Bovaer), tested in 2024, remains encouraged. Likewise, foods that reduce methane emissions, such as flax, constitute a lever. Measurement of enteric methane emissions will be carried out through the analysis of milk fatty acids. All of these levers give access to a premium which can amount to €25/1,000 l, but the impact on the price of milk paid is estimated at €12/1,000 l.
Over this period, from June to December, the base price remains at €460/1,000 l to which is added the grazing and non-GMO premium reduced to €17. The forecast average price thus amounts to €489/1,000 l for conventional (460 + 12 + 17). The development of the cheesemaker's sales, in particular of the Babybel and La Vache qui rit brands, makes it possible to increase the contractual volume by 10 Ml to reach a total of 431 Ml. The 670 farms that are members of the APBO should be able to produce this milk. New memberships are therefore not envisaged.
An organic price at €550/1,000 l
Bel also displays its attachment to the organic sector and the price is increased to €550/1,000 l for 2025 (+ €25 compared to 2024). On the other hand, the difficulties of this market do not make it possible to boost conversions.
The president of APBO, Frédéric Dorilleau, once again underlined the strength of this partnership which gives visibility to breeders, both in terms of price and volumes. Anne-Sophie Carrier, general director of Bel France, says she is confident that distributors will take this price increase into account. “GMS have ambitious decarbonization objectives and are sensitive to our progress on this subject. »
