Fonterra has denied claims it paid contract suppliers a premium exceeding the payout price for milk.
It was alleged this week by Dairy Trust chairman Mark Fankhauser that Fonterra's tactical pricing policy meant contract milk suppliers were paid a premium over shareholder-suppliers.
Fonterra's milk supply strategy manager Jason Minkhorst, said Mr Fankhauser was incorrect.
"We only pay what we need to secure milk that is profitable to the co-operative as a whole.
Fonterra doesn't - and never has - paid more for tactical or contract milk than payout."
He confirmed Fonterra would continue its tactical milk pricing policy this coming season in areas it faced competition - the Waikato, Canterbury and Southland - but declined to reveal what those prices would be.
