In the 52 weeks ending on November 30, 2024, the average price of one liter of semi-skimmed milk was ** pence per liter in the UK. Plant-based alternatives cost over *** British pounds.

In the 52 weeks ending on the March 25, 2018 the average retail price of liquid milk in the United Kingdom (UK) was 59 pence per liter. Over the period in consideration, from September 2015 to March 2018, the price increased by two pence.

Production and retail

Liquid milk is the most commonly made product from raw milk in the European Union. In 2016, Its production volume amounted to approximately 25 million metric tons. Between January 2016 and February 2019, the monthly farm-gate price of raw milk the EU increased from 29.69 to 34.94 euros per 100 kilograms. In 2017, British consumers spent the most on semi-skimmed milk, approximately 1.57 billion British pounds. Second and third most popular milk types were skimmed and whole milk, respectively.

Global snapshot

There are five regions that account for 65 percent of the global milk supply: Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. As of March 2019, apart from the European Union, supplies decreased year on year in all key regions, which has a high impact on the price paid for milk.

Most milk produced in the UK is bought by dairies (registered ‘milk purchasers’) for processing. Defra runs a monthly survey in England and Wales to collect information on the volume, value and protein content of milk purchased from farms. Similar surveys are run in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The UK average farm-gate milk price, protein content and butterfat content is then calculated.

This statistic shows the average annual output price of milk in the United Kingdom from 1994 to 2022, in index format. Since 2000, the output price index of milk has steadily increased, until 2022 when the index price shot up to a peak of 180 points.

This statistic illustrates the average retail price of liquid milk (including semi-skimmed, skimmed, whole milk, low % fat milk and other milk) in Great Britain from the 52 weeks ending on the 18th of October 2009 to the 52 weeks ending on the 7th of October 2018. In the 52 weeks ending October 2018, the average retail price of milk was 61 pence per liter.

Average prices calculated from surveys of milk purchasers

Source agency: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Designation: Official Statistics not designated as National Statistics Language: English Alternative title: Milk Statistics Notice

This release now forms part of the UK milk prices and composition statistics: https://data.gov.uk/dataset/milk_prices_and_composition_of_milk

This statistic illustrates the average farmgate (producer) milk price in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2003 to 2015. In 2011, the average farmgate milk price was 27.36 pence per liter in the United Kingdom.

The price per unit in the 'Milk Substitutes' segment of the food market in the United Kingdom was forecast to continuously increase between 2025 and 2030 by in total 0.7 U.S. dollars (+23.97 percent). After the tenth consecutive increasing year, the price per unit is estimated to reach 3.59 U.S. dollars and therefore a new peak in 2030. Notably, the price per unit of the 'Milk Substitutes' segment of the food market was continuously increasing over the past years.Find other key market indicators concerning the revenue growth and volume. The Statista Market Insights cover a broad range of additional markets.

Provides statistics on the average farm gate milk prices and the average butterfat and protein content of milk produced in the UK.

Source agency: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Designation: National Statistics Language: English Alternative title: Milk Prices And Composition Of Milk

If you require the datasets in a more accessible format, please contact julie.rumsey@defra.gsi.gov.uk

This statistic shows the average retail price of liquid semi-skimmed milk in Great Britain from October 2009 to October 2018. At the 52 week period ending October 7, 2018, the average price of semi skimmed milk was 57 pence per litre.

The United Kingdom: Milk, cheese, and eggs price index, world average = 100: The latest value from 2021 is 96.32 index points, an increase from 90.21 index points in 2017. In comparison, the world average is 120.42 index points, based on data from 165 countries. Historically, the average for the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021 is 93.27 index points. The minimum value, 90.21 index points, was reached in 2017 while the maximum of 96.32 index points was recorded in 2021.

After four years of growth, the UK evaporated and condensed milk market decreased by -0.2% to $330M in 2024. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption increased by +35.6% against 2019 indices.

The UK whole fresh milk market rose modestly to $7.5B in 2024, increasing by 4.2% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Whole fresh milk consumption peaked at $7.7B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.