GERMANY – Output by at least two of the largest milk processors is being threatened by farmer strikes in the coming months.

The country’s top two dairies, Nordmilch and Humana, were blockaded by 1,500 demonstrating farmers at their headquarters in Zeven and Everswinkel as word got through that pressure from leading discounters was going to lead to national milk producer prices being reduced.

The present average price is of 27 cents per litre, and prices could drop to 22 cents per litre, according to farming group Bundesverband Deutsche Milchviehhalter (BDM). The managing director of BDM’s Freie Milch (Independent Milk) arm Eckhard Harder commented that the low price policies would have to stop and that 35 cents would have to be paid for every litre of German milk leaving the farm in future. Otherwise, he warned, delivery strikes would start and, if required, entire processor plants would be boycotted by the milk producers.