DairyCo

Wisemans secure Co-op contract

Published 16 March 11

Robert Wiseman Dairies (RWD) has announced that it has successfully renegotiated its supply contract to The Co-operative Group, securing 100% of the retailer's own-label requirements. Previously RWD held a 75% share of the supply contract, with the remaining 25% supplied by Dairy Crest.  The two-year agreement, commencing in August 2011, will see its supply to the retailer increase by 88m litres from the current volume of 275m litres per annum.

As part of these arrangement, a dedicated milk supply scheme will be developed, which will include approximately 350 dairy farmer members of the Wiseman Milk Partnership. The dedicated group will receive a premium on the farmgate price for milk supplied to Co-operative stores, although the amount of the premium has not yet been determined.  The establishment of the Co-operative dedicated supply group will mean that, from August 2011, the majority of producers with direct supply contracts to Wisemans will be on a retailer-aligned contract.

The focus for farms selected for The Co-operative Group's supply pool will be a commitment towards animal welfare, environmental stewardship and carbon footprint reduction.