GERMANY – German milk processors supplying the major supermarkets are holding talks with retailers, with the intention of agreeing higher prices.

Demonstrations by the country’s 170,000 milk-producing farmers sparked the move, as they condemned the lowest prices for almost 30 years, which have resulted from discounter price wars. Farmers say the current price is 27 euro cents per litre, the lowest price since 1977.

On 29 March, an estimated 1,000 milk producers blockaded the headquarters of Aldi Nord, Essen, and it was there that a deputation met Aldi’s management and were told of the price negotiations between the processors and retailers.