Dairy retail performance - 1 November 2025

Cows’ milk volumes continued to decrease (-2.6%) year-on-year (NIQ, 52 w/e 1 November 2025), while spend saw an increase of 1.8% due to a 4.5% increase in average prices paid. Overall volume declines were driven by a reduction in frequency of purchase and volumes purchased per trip. Volume declines were seen for semi-skimmed and skimmed milk, while whole milk (+2.3%) and other cows’ milk (+16.3%) (including channel island and 1% fat milk) continue to see volume increases this period. Other animal sourced milk also saw volume growth, while plant-based milks saw decline.

Cows’ cheese remained in volume growth, up 1.7% year-on-year, and spend during the period increased by 5.7% (NIQ, 52 w/e 1 November 2025). Cheddar, which represents a majority (45.2%) of cows’ cheese volumes, saw a slight increase in volumes purchased (+0.3%). Increases in volumes were also seen for snacking (+2.8%), specialty and continental (+3.5%), and other cows’ cheese (+7.3%), offsetting the declines seen in British Regionals, processed, and Stilton and British Blue.

Cows’ butter saw a 2.2% decrease in volumes this period, while spend grew by 9.8% year-on-year, due to a 12.3% increase in average prices paid (NIQ, 52 w/e 1 November 2025). Block butter continues to see volume growth, up 5.5%, driven by increases in the number of shoppers and the frequency of purchase. However, this was not enough to offset declines in cow butter spread volumes (-5.5%).

Cows’ yogurt, yogurt drinks and fromage frais volumes continue to see growth (+6.3%), with spend increasing 11.4% year-on-year (NIQ, 52 w/e 1 November 2025). Most products in this category saw growth in volumes purchased this period, offsetting the declines from fromage frais (-8.3%), split pot (-0.1%) and standard flavoured (-5.6%). Cows’ fat free yogurt remains the product that saw the greatest actual growth (+17.5 million kilos), while cows’ standard plain yogurt saw the fastest volume growth of 25.5% year-on-year.

Cows’ cream volumes saw a +2.3% increase year-on-year, driven by increases in shopper numbers and volumes purchased per shopper, despite a 9.2% increase in average prices paid (NIQ, 52 w/e 1 November 2025). Growth in aerosol (+1.9%), crème fraiche (+0.1%), double (+3.9%) and sour cream (+3.4%), volumes drove this performance. Single cream, on the other hand, saw volumes remain relatively flat compared to the same period last year (+785 litres).

See the full data and these insights visualised on our GB household dairy purchases retail dashboard.

Sign up to receive the latest information from AHDB.

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.