Dairy Retail Performance - 5 September 2026

Cows’ milk

Milk volumes declined by 0.3% year-on-year¹, while spend increased by 1.6%, driven by a 2.0% increase in average prices paid.

Declines were seen for semi-skimmed (-1.8%) and skimmed milk (-3.8%). Whole milk continued to outperform the category, with volumes increasing by 3.0%. This growth in whole milk may reflect consumer interest in more natural and less processed products.

Plant-based milk volumes remained broadly stable (-0.1%), while spend increased by 5.3% due to higher average prices.

Cows’ cheese

Cow cheese remained in volume growth, increasing by 2.2% year-on-year¹. Spend grew by 0.2%, despite a -2.0% decrease in average prices.

Volume growth was driven by increases in other cow cheese (+10.6%), specialty and continental (+4.6%) and snacking (+3.0%).

These gains offset declines in cheddar (-1.3%), British regionals (-2.8%), processed (-2.1%) and stilton and British blue (-8.1%).

Cows’ butter 

Butter volumes declined by 2.4% year-on-year¹. Spend decreased by 6.2% due to average prices paid falling by 3.9%.

Block butter remained the strongest-performing butter segment, with volumes increasing by 5.5%. However, this growth was not enough to offset declines in butter spreads, which fell by 6.0%, resulting in an overall decline for the category.

Cows’ yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and fromage frais 

Cows' yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and fromage frais volumes increased by 6.8% year-on-year¹, with spend increasing by 9.4%. Average prices paid rose by 2.5%.

Growth was driven by increased volumes purchased across several yoghurt subcategories. Standard plain yoghurt (+18.4%), healthy yoghurt (+17.5%), fat-free yoghurt (+9.1%) and probiotic yoghurt (+6.3%) were among the strongest performers. Yoghurt drinks also remained in growth (+7.4%), reflecting continued demand for convenient products.

However, some subcategories remained in decline, including split pot (-4.0%) and standard flavoured (-2.9%). This could be a result of consumer health trends and a push for less ultra processed foods.

Cows’ cream 

Cream volumes declined by 0.1% year-on-year¹. Spend increased by 1.4%, while average prices paid rose by 1.6%.

Performance was mixed across the category. Double cream (+2.3%), whipping cream (+2.8%) and sour cream (+1.2%) remained in growth, while declines were seen for single cream (-3.3%) and crème fraiche (-9.1%).

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

¹ NIQ Homescan POD, Total GB, 12 w/e 5 September 2026 

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