Dairy retail performance – 27 December 2025

Cows’ milk volumes saw a 1.5% decline volumes purchased year-on-year (NIQ, 12 w/e 27 December 2025), while spend saw a 7.1% increase, driven by an 8.7% increase in average prices paid.

Declines were seen for semi-skimmed, skimmed, and other cows’ milk. Whole milk continued to see volume growth, with a 2.7% increase year-on-year. Other animal sourced milk and plant-based also saw volume growth.

Cows’ cheese remained in volume growth, seeing a 1.9% increase year-on-year (NIQ, 12 w/e 27 December 2025). Spend grew by 5.0% during this period, driven by volume gains and a 3.1% increase in average prices.

Cheese performed well due to increased demand caused by Christmas.

Cheddar, which represents a majority (44.8%) of all cow cheese volumes, saw a 1.3% increase. Other cows’ cheese (+9.8%), snacking (+8.9%), and specialty and continental (+0.1%) also saw growth.

This growth offset declines in British regionals, processed, and Stilton and British blue.

Cows’ butter saw a 0.5% decrease in volumes purchased year-on-year (NIQ, 12 w/e 27 December 2025). However, spend saw a 6.4% increase year on year, driven by a 7.0% increase in average prices paid.

Block butter continues to be the only subcategory to see volume growth (+6.0%). However, this growth was not enough to offset the decline in cow butter spread volumes (-3.7%).

Cows’ yogurt, yogurt drinks and fromage frais volumes continue to see growth (+6.5%), with spend increasing 11.3% year-on-year (NIQ, 12 w/e 27 December 2025). Average prices paid grew 4.5%.

Cows’ standard plain yogurt saw the fastest growth of 19.7% year-on-year, while cows’ fat-free yogurt saw the greatest actual growth, with an additional 4.2m kilos purchased year-on-year (+12.6%).

Cows’ cream volumes saw a 0.1% increase year-on-year, which combined with an 9.6% increase in average prices paid, resulted in a 9.7% increase in spend (NIQ, 12 w/e 27 December 2025). Cream performed well due to Christmas.

Growth in clotted (+12.2%), aerosol (+3.0%), crème fraiche (+2.2%), and sour cream (+0.4%) volumes drove this performance. Whipping cream and single cream both saw volume decreases of 9.2% and 4.8%, respectively.

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