Dairy market summary 2025

This page provides a snapshot of key information from the dairy market 2025.

GB farm data

As at April 2026, GB dairy producer numbers fell by 2.7% (to 6,850) when compared to the previous year.

With 1.59 million cows in the milking herd, down approximately 300k on the year but production up circa 600m litres at 13bn, the average yield per cow stood at 8,201 litres, up from 7,684 the previous year.

Figure 1. GB farm data as of 1 April 2026

Note: Milk production figures based on 2025/26 milk year.

Source: AHDB, BCMS

GB milk production

Analysis by AHDB utilising BCMS data, shows that the share of GB farms in 2025 running any type of block calving system has risen to 21.4%, up 4.8 percentage points since 2021. The number of farms running an all year round (AYR)* system remained relatively steady at 35.1%. Non-defined systems were still the largest category at 43.6%.

Of those using block calving, Autumn and Spring have been the most popular, accounting for 7.0% and 6.7% of all systems, respectively. From 2024 to 2025, the Spring block system saw the largest increase, moving up by 1.3 percentage points, potentially adding to processing capacity challenges in the spring peak of milk supplies.

GB organic milk production as a percentage of total milk was 3% in 2025/26, unchanged on 2024/25.

Figure 2. GB milk production: Calving patterns 2025

Figure 3. GB milk production (2025/26 milk year): Organic vs conventional milk (%) 

Source: AHDB

Spring block: 80% of registrations occur within 4 months 1 Feb–31 May.
Autumn block: 80% of registrations occur within 4 months 1 Aug–30 Nov or 1 Sep–31 Dec.
Other block: 80% of registrations occur within 4 months outside a defined spring or autumn block.
Dual block: 90% of registrations occur within the spring block or autumn block defined above.
AYR: Registrations are spread relatively evenly throughout the the year but can be based on a 10–12 month calving system.
Non-defined covers any farm not falling into one of the other catagories.

Source: BCMS, AHDB

UK milk utilisation

In 2025/26, UK disposals of liquid milk fell to 6.04 billion litres, equivalent to 41% of the 14.6bn litres of available milk. This was followed by disposals for cheese at 4.81bn or 33% of the total milk available. Milk for yogurt stood at 4% followed by butter and cream both at 3%. Other products which includes powders was the third largest category at 2.00bn or 16% of total disposals

Figure 4. UK milk utilisation 2025/26 milk year: Milk supply 14.6bn litres (%)

Source: DEFRA

UK production

In 2025/26, UK production of liquid milk fell by 1% on the previous year to 6.02 billion litres. There were year on year increases for butter up to 203,000 tonnes (up by 8.1%) and cheese to 513,000 tonnes (up by 4.3%).

Figure 5. UK production ('000 tonnes)

Note: Volumes are 12-month totals for the 2025/26 milk year.

*Liquid milk volume in million litres

Source: DEFRA

GB retail spend

Retail spend across all dairy categories analysed (butter, fresh cream, cheese, yogurt and milk) for the year ending March 2026 was up on the previous year. The largest increase was seen for yogurt up over £253m on the year to £2.5bn. Cheese remained the largest category overall at £3.9bn, up £207m on 2024/25.

Figure 6. GB retail spend (£bn) 2024/25 versus 2025/26

Source: NielsenIQ Panel On Demand Homescan GB value, cow's dairy, 52 w/e 22 March 2026 and 52 w/e 23 March 2025

UK trade

In 2025, imports by volume increased on 2024 of cheese (by 5%) to 471,000 tonnes and milk powders were up 2% at just over 27,000 tonnes. However, butter imports reduced by 7% to 59,000 tonnes.

The export of cheese by volume in 2025 grew by 5% to 207,000 tonnes. Butter exports increased by 14% to 50,000 tonnes. Milk powders were up 47% to 95,000 tonnes for the year.

Figure 7. UK trade: Imports ('000 tonnes)

Figure 8. UK trade: Exports ('000 tonnes)

Note: Full year trade 2024 vs 2025

Further publication of the trade data is prohibited unless expressly permitted by Trade Data Monitor LLC.

Source: UK HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC