Dairy exports grew in Q4 2025

• UK dairy export volumes grew by 28% in Q4 2025 to 367,000 tonnes
• Export value increased by 13% to £551 million
• Most categories grew in both volume and value, except whey and whey products
• Imports fell by 1.5%, mainly due to reduced imports of butter and of milk and cream

UK dairy exports continued to rise for the third quarter in a row. Shipments to EU countries increased by 68,600 tonnes, and exports to non‑EU countries rose by 11,800 tonnes.

Growth was driven mainly by:

• Milk and cream (up 56,800 tonnes)
• Milk powders (up 14,000 tonnes)
• Cheese (up 7,900 tonnes)
• Butter (up 3,200 tonnes)

Exports of yoghurt fell by 600 tonnes (down 5.6%), and whey and whey products fell by 1,100 tonnes (down 5.9%). These declines limited overall growth but did not offset strong results in the key categories.

Milk powders, in particular, saw exceptional export growth due to high UK milk deliveries and competitive pricing on global markets.

Nearly 90% of all UK dairy exports went to EU countries in Q4 2025.

Figure 1. UK dairy products exports, Oct-Dec (Thousand tonnes)

Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

• Ireland: up 26% to 238,600 tonnes
• Netherlands: up 31% to 30,500 tonnes
• France: up 20% to 12,500 tonnes
• Belgium: up 41% to 11,700 tonnes
• Spain: up 121% to 6,700 tonnes
• Denmark: up 65% to 5,000 tonnes

• Nigeria: +2,600 tonnes
• United Arab Emirates: +2,000 tonnes
• Algeria: +1,400 tonnes

UK dairy imports fell by 1.5% (–4,400 tonnes) to 301,700 tonnes in Q4 2025. Imports from EU countries fell by 1.8%, while imports from non‑EU partners increased by 53.3% (+900 tonnes).

Changes by category included:

• Milk and cream: down 9,200 tonnes (–15.8%)
• Butter: down 3,100 tonnes (–17.8%)
• Yoghurt: down 800 tonnes (–1%)
• Whey and whey products: down 700 tonnes (–3.2%)
• Cheese and curd: up 8,100 tonnes (7.2%)
• Milk powders: up 1,200 tonnes (5.8%)

Imports from Ireland saw the biggest fall (–14,000 tonnes). Germany and the Netherlands also recorded declines. Strong domestic milk supply is expected to reduce imports further in the near term.

Figure 2. UK dairy products imports (Oct–Dec, thousand tonnes)

Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

Figure 2 bar chart compares year‑on‑year import volumes by category. Milk and cream imports fell by 9,200 tonnes; butter by 3,100 tonnes; yoghurt by 800 tonnes; whey by 700 tonnes. Cheese and curd imports increased by 8,100 tonnes, and powders increased by 1,200 tonnes. Data source: HMRC, compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC.

Domestic milk deliveries continue to reach record levels, increasing the supply of dairy products available for export. This makes global markets an important outlet for balancing supply and demand.

Although exports of yoghurt and whey products fell slightly, growing demand for protein‑rich foods suggests room for renewed export growth in these categories. There is also strong potential to expand exports of British speciality cheeses.

The exports team continues to promote British dairy products through events and outreach in established and emerging markets.

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