Dairy retail performance - 29 November 2025

During the 52 weeks ending 29 November 2025, volumes of cow dairy declined by 1.2% year-on-year (NIQ Homescan POD, Total GB). Spend on cow’s dairy increased by 6.7%, driven by an 8.0% increase in average prices paid.

Cows’ milk saw a 2.6% decline in volumes purchased year-on-year (NIQ, 52 w/e 29 November 2025), while spend saw a 2.4% increase, driven by a 5.1% increase in average prices paid. Skimmed and semi-skimmed milk continued to see volume declines, while whole milk (+2.4%) and other cows’ milk (+23.8%) (such as channel island and 1% fat milk) saw volume increases. Other animal sourced milk also saw volume growth, while plant-based saw decline.

Cows’ cheese remained in volume growth, up 1.7% year-on-year (NIQ, 52 w/e 29 November 2025). Spend grew by 5.8% this period, driven by volume gains and a 4.1% increase in average prices. Cheddar, which represents 45.2% of all cows’ cheese, saw a slight increase (+0.3%) in volumes purchased. Other cows’ cheese (+7.5%) (such as quark and cottage cheese), specialty and continental (+3.3%) and snacking (+2.8%) all saw volume increases, compensating for the declines in British regionals, processed, and Silton and British blue.

Cows’ butter volumes continued to decrease, down -2.2% year-on-year, with spend up 9.7%, due to a 12.2% increase in average prices (NIQ, 52 w/e 29 November 2025). Block butter, however, continued to see volume increases of 5.5%, driven by increases in shopper numbers and shopper frequency of purchase. Cow butter spreads volumes, which make up 67.9% of all cows’ butter, saw a 5.5% decrease year-on-year, ultimately contributing to the decline in cows’ butter volumes.

Cows’ yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and fromage frais volumes continue to see strong growth this period, up 6.3%, with spend increasing by 11.5% year-on-year due to a 4.9% increase in average prices paid (NIQ, 52 w/e 29 November 2025). Cows’ fat-free yoghurt remains the product that saw the greatest actual growth, with an additional 18.3m kilos purchased year-on-year (+11.5%), while standard plain yoghurt saw the strongest growth year-on-year (+25.0%).

Cows’ cream remained in volume growth, increasing 2.0%, driven by growth in shopper numbers and volumes purchased per trip, despite a 9.9% increase in average prices paid. Sour cream  (+3.2%), double (+3.2%), aerosol (+2.0%), clotted (+1.4%) and crème fraiche (+0.4%) all experienced volume growth and drove overall cow cream performance.

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

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