Woolworths has announced it will raise the price of its $1-a-litre milk to $1.10-a-litre to support struggling dairy farmers.
The supermarket giant will start changing the price of its milk nationwide from tomorrow, with 2lt and 3lt varieties to be sold for $2.20 and $3.30 respectively, with the additional cash to go directly to the farmers.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, who had previously criticised Woolworths, Coles and Aldi for not doing enough to support dairy farmers, said it is a start.
“Whilst I wish Woolworths was taking a much bigger step, they’re miles ahead of their competitors and it's sad it has taken National Party pressure to get to this point.
“Coles and Aldi continue to sell milk at $1. This drives down prices to farmers. Supermarkets can’t pretend selling milk cheap doesn’t hurt farmers and they’ve got to be called out on this rubbish.
“Consumers have the power here. If everybody who clicks ‘like’ on a Facebook video bought branded milk instead of cheap supermarket brand milk, or punished Coles and Aldi by going elsewhere, big changes would occur overnight."
Australian Dairy Farmer CEO David Inall has called Woolworths' move a "game changer".
"It is reassuring that Woolworths has committed to deliver the full 10 cent increase back to those farmers who supplied the milk."
Police issue 31,000 driving infringements in first month of new AI cameras
Works underway on Rockingham and Safety Bay High School redevelopments
New measles exposure sites revealed in Bunbury
Dawesville man charged after allegedly leaving his elderly Great Dane to suffer painful conditions
Good Samaritan sought by police after helping teen during robbery in Baldivis
Under-16s social media ban now in force
Desperate search continues for missing Bunbury FIFO worker
Passengers now able to use credit, debit cards to tag on and off WA's public transport
New floating jetty speeds up emergency response times for Marine Rescue Mandurah