DCA Base Milk Price Index NL – A New Benchmark in Dairy

DCA Market Intelligence introduces the DCA Base Milk Price Index NL, an objective new benchmark that provides insight into the base milk prices paid by dairy processors to milk producers in the Netherlands.

This monthly index enables professionals across the dairy supply chain to track market developments more effectively. With this benchmark, DCA Market Intelligence offers dairy processors, traders, and producers a strategic tool for decision-making based on transparent price information.

As a Price Reporting Agency (PRA), DCA Market Intelligence provides the food and agribusiness sectors with independent benchmark prices, market data, and intelligence.

The DCA Base Milk Price Index NL is calculated as the weighted average of the base milk prices from eight leading Dutch dairy processors. The index is based on these farmgate milk prices, excluding bonuses and premiums for factors such as pasture grazing and sustainability initiatives. The index is published once at least 75% of the involved milk volume has been reported for the respective month. Once all eight price quotes are available, the index is finalized for that month.

The monthly milk prices of dairy processors are standardized and made comparable using a uniform protocol within the DCA Farmgate Milk Price Calculator, which DCA Market Intelligence has been compiling for 16 years. This calculator is published on the DCA MI Dairy Platform and on Boerenbusiness.nl.

Trend in payout capacity
With the Base Milk Price Index NL, we provide a unique tool offering insight into the development of the average base milk price received by Dutch dairy farmers,” says Eric de Lijster, Head of PRA at DCA Market Intelligence. “This allows us to highlight trends in the payout capacity of the dairy industry. We emphasize the ‘base’ price, as dairy farmers receive various bonuses and premiums from their buyers for meeting sustainability criteria such as pasture grazing and agri-environmental measures.”

The historical trend of the Base Milk Price Index NL, which has been back-calculated to 2018, shows a slight decline in recent months. The preliminary DCA Base Milk Price Index NL for March 2025 is €53.00 per 100 kg of milk, following an upward trend in the second half of 2024. “The DCA dairy benchmark prices for Northwest Europe saw significant increases over the past year due to strong demand and tight milk supply. However, the market has recently shown signs of easing,” explains De Lijster.

The specifications of the DCA Base Milk Price Index NL and more information about the DCA MI Dairy Placorm can be found on the DCA Market Intelligence website.