Norco have posted a statement on their Facebook page revealing the 100 per cent Australian farmer owned dairy co-operative has been overwhelmed by the passionate outcry from loyal customers after Woolworths recently announced their decision to remove the brand’s milk products from 150 stores across metropolitan Sydney.

While many have slammed the supermarket giant amidst claims they do not support Australian producers, a spokesperson for Woolworths cited lower demand for Norco products as the reason behind the decision, adding the iconic brand has “a very loyal following up north.”

“We’ve actually increased the range of Norco products in all our Queensland stores and NSW stores north of Sydney,” they explained.

“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.”

The spokesperson said Woolworths supported Norco following the reopening of their ice cream factory in Lismore last year after it was damaged by flooding in 2022, with the supermarket stocking Norco brand ice cream in stores across Australia.

“Norco also manufactures our own brand Woolworths ice cream sticks which are sold nationwide, in addition to supplying our Woolworths ice cream pints and 2L containers in a number of states.”

In their statement, Norco revealed there are still many stores where customers can find their award winning white milk in both metropolitan Sydney and right across NSW and Queensland at https://bit.ly/3RbXuoa.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan has also expressed his disappointment in Woolworths following the announcement last week and said if the multinational retail and finance company wasn’t going to support Norco, he wasn’t going to support them.

And he is encouraging others to do the same.

“The Sydney milk market is the biggest in the country, and Woolworths are taking Norco out of that, which is a huge blow for them,” he said.

“They (Woolworths) are sourcing their six-pack mini-ice cream sticks from Slovenia, and their 1L tubs from New Zealand when Norco is producing good quality, Australian made ice cream, made locally in our region.

“This (decision) is not good for Norco.”

While he revealed he is calling for shoppers to boycott Woolworths in an effort to send a message to the supermarket giant to support Norco, Mr Hogan said he is certainly not critical of local Woolworths staff.

“A lot of them would also be supporters of Norco and be in favour of seeing Norco products on the shelves,” he said.

Norco were contacted for comment.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 6 March 2024.