Sour day for ice creams
Always try to use our sheer size to absorb the movements in the commodity markets," said a Unilever spokesperson.
"But, unfortunately, this time the milk-fat hikes are too big. I know it looks like us cashing in on the heatwave but this has caught the industry on the hop."
Behind the rise in milk-fat prices lies a complicated story. The industry blames the new pricing system introduced by the United States Department of Agriculture, and a spokesman for that in turn blames a seasonal slowdown in milk production.
Asked whether a similar problem could deprive British ice-cream aficonados of their treats, City food analysts were gloomy. "Milk-fat prices here are determined by different factors than in the States," one said unhappily.
"Things are stable enough at present but I really would not be surprised if we see the milk-fat prices going sour on us here too, probably as an aftermath of this foot-and-mouth crisis."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies