Customers call out Coles for increasing the price of milk

Coles has confirmed it’s raised the price of milk after eagle-eye customers noticed the hike, but there’s one way you can still get the old price.

Aussies have noticed Coles increased the price of its own brand milk as a farmer revealed the reason why prices for the white stuff is going up and up.

A picture was shared to the Facebook group “Simple Savers” on Wednesday of a 3L carton of Coles full cream milk with a $4.50 price tag – a spike of 60 cents.

The customer added that the prices on other sizes had also increased.

The 2L is now $3.10, up from $2.60, and 1L is now $1.60, up from $1.35.

The supermarket, along with Woolworths and Aldi, increased their milk prices by 10c a litre in December last year. It had been the first rise in more than two years.

Customers have noticed the price of milk has increased at Coles. Picture: Facebook

Some people in the Facebook group pointed out $4.50 was still a cheap price for milk, while others declared it was “ridiculous” prices just keep climbing.

“OMG this is sad … That means cafes will put price up too but I guess we can’t afford to go there anymore,” one person wrote.

“Let’s just hope the increase isn’t just lining the pockets of CEOs and other higher ups, and its actually going to the farmers that work hard to supply it,” said another.

Coles said it increased prices after recent increases in sourcing, transportation and packaging costs.

This also includes a substantial rise in farmgate prices paid to dairy farmers, which has been welcomed by some of the supermarket’s suppliers.

Coles Chief Commercial Officer Leah Weckert said: “We know customers are facing increased cost of living pressures and Coles remains committed to continuing to deliver great value to our customers.

“Raising prices is never something we do lightly, however the increased supply chain costs we are seeing, including higher payments to dairy farmers and processors, have necessitated these increases on Coles Brand milk products.

“The feedback we’ve received from farmers and processors following the recent increases in farmgate and wholesale prices has been very positive, and we hope customers will help us continue to support them by purchasing their great quality Australian milk.”

Price of Coles branded milk online Wednesday afternoon.

Coles said in a statement it had been paying a higher price at the farmgate since July 1.

NSW Farmers dairy committee chair Colin Thompson said last financial year 29 farms left the dairy industry and unless the major supermarkets and milk processors paid farmers more their milk, there would be more.

“These prices rises announced by Coles are a result of dwindling supply driving the market up, and the best way to address that problem is ensuring ample supply by paying farmers a fair price,” he said.

“Farmers need to at least break even in their businesses, and the fact that we’ve lost 29 farms in the last 12 months is a pretty good sign that’s not easy.”

Seasonal conditions across NSW have resulted in reports of 30-40 per cent drops in milk yields, while natural disasters and skyrocketing input costs have further squeezed profit margins for farmers, he said.

“If we want to avoid higher milk prices in the supermarkets we need a good supply of milk, and that cannot happen when farmers walk away from the industry,” he explained.

“We are calling for the major supermarkets and processors to work with farmers to ensure they get a fair price for their milk, which will mean dairy farming becomes a viable business again.

“The alternative is skyrocketing dairy prices in the supermarkets, and potentially the end of Australian milk production.”

Another Aussie on the “Simple Savers” Facebook group said they were shocked after browsing the refrigerator aisle of the supermarket — it is not clear which chain — noticing the price of lactose free milk has increased.

Images shared to the group show Paul’s Zymil lactose free low fat milk now costs $6.60 and an alternative by Norco cost $5.95 per 2L bottle.

Asking for advice, the woman sad: “Any suggestions on where I can get cheaper low fat milk please? I can simply not afford this anymore.’

“I don’t want to have to drink cupboard milk (long-life milk) instead but it’s looking like the only option.”

Vegetables including lettuce, carrots, zucchini, cauliflower and broccoli have also increased in price over the past couple months.

The observation shocked others online who offered a list of potential alternatives the woman could buy.

“You just gave me a shock I buy lactose free milk but haven’t looked at the price. I think I will have to buy my husband normal milk and just get a 1L for me!” one woman wrote in the comments.

Others said long-life milk options are usually cheaper compared to fresh milk.

“I have bought lactose free full and lite milk in the Coles brand 1L for a long time now, $2.50 for a 1ltr carton and you’ll find it next to the Zymil in the fridges,” one person said.

“Long life milk is cheaper and tastes pretty good. I used to buy A2 and now use Devondale long life in my cereal, it’s also cheaper if you buy at Costco,” another added.

Another person said they opt for 1L Aldi milk, while another said low fat powdered milk is also a good alternative for just $8 from Woolworths or Coles.