Woolworths has removed Australian farmer-owned Norco milk from all of its 150 supermarkets and Metro branded stores in metropolitan Sydney.
In a written statement a company spokesperson said the decision was based on customer demand and did not affect any stores stocking Norco milk north of Sydney.
“While we have seen lower demand for Norco in metropolitan Sydney stores, we know they have a very loyal following up north,” the spokesperson said.
“We’ve actually increased the range of Norco products in our Queensland stores and New South Wales stores north of Sydney.
“We’ve worked together with Norco on this change and we’ll continue to partner with them to deliver quality milk based on customer demand.”
It is another potential blow for Norco which had to rebuild after devastating flooding at its Lismore ice cream factory in 2022.
Established in Byron Bay in 1895, the company is an 100 per cent Australian owned dairy co-operative with 326 active members on 190 dairy farms in northern New South Wales and south east Queensland.
The Woolworths spokesperson said all of its fresh milk was 100 per cent Australian sourced.
“In our Sydney stores, the space made available by the removal of Norco has been given to other Australian-owned milk brands — Riverina and Dairy Farmers,” they said.
Norco chief executive Michael Hampson declined to comment.
The company released a statement.
“For customers who want to support our hard working farmers, we encourage you to visit our store locator at www.norcofoods.com.au and click on “where to buy”, which shows where all Norco branded products are sold across Australia,” it said.
More to come.