Milton and Conjola dairy farmers have supported Coles and Aldi supermarkets' decision to ditch $1-a-litre milk.
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The retail giants have announced it will increase the price of their respective private label milk by an extra 10 cents per litre. The move follows the lead of Milton IGA, which made the bold move to raise its two-litre Perfection milk to $2.19, up from just $1-a-litre, in September.
Woolworths became the first national supermarket chain to axe $1-a-litre in February.
Milton dairy farmer Michael Ewin welcomed the price rise.
"It's got to be a good thing," he said.
"Three of the big supermarkets have raised their price, and they've said it's going to the farmers."
Mr Ewin and other dairy farmers in the region supply Parmalat Australia which produces Woolworths' home brand milk. He said Woolworths' decision to raise its price had made a difference.
"It was good to get that, really, on the back of the back of a drought, everyone is still employed, we can stay solid."
Conjola dairy farmer Leon Murray, who also contracted to Parmalat, was pleased to see other processors across NSW and other states received the support.
"I think it's good, anything that moves the price forward and helps [raise] public awareness about how our industry is being treated," he said.
The more chatter about issues the dairy industry faces, the more consumers would support their plight Mr Murray said
"Nine out of 10 people see the plight we're in, it's not really fair and they're happy to pay extra.
"It keeps local suppliers' milk on the shelves."
Milton dairy farmer Robert Miller said it was the "first step in bringing sustainability and profitability to the industry".
In February Milton IGA co-owners Shane Wilson and Anthony Latta handed over almost $5,000, raised from their levy, to five Conjola and Milton dairy farmers. Milton IGA's move put the district in the spotlight when it ditched $1-a-litre milk at its store.
On Wednesday, March 20, South Coast dairy farmer Daniel Cochrane dropped into Coles and Aldi in Nowra to ensure the milk price rise was implemented, as promised on Wednesday.
After eight years of lobbying major supermarkets for a better deal, Daniel Cochrane had to see the price change with his own eyes to believe it.
"As the founder of the Australian Democrats said, 'Once there's an issue you always want to keep the bastards honest,'" Mr Cochrane said to the South Coast Register.
NSW Farmers Dairy committee Chair and Dubbo farmer Erika Chesworth described the news as a huge win for dairy farmers.
"The NSW Farmers dairy committee and all dairy farmers have been fighting for this result since $1 litre milk was introduced in 2011."
"This is a welcome backflip from Coles and Aldi on their decision to stick with $1 milk last month."
