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. Additional information is collected by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on the protein and butterfat content of the milk. The UK average farm-gate milk price, protein content and butterfat content is then calculated.

User Engagement

Data from the milk production and composition statistics are an invaluable evidence base for policy makers, academics and researchers. The data is also heavily relied upon by the UK dairy sector, as well as the AHDB. The milk production and composition data is used to understand the current state of the UK dairy sector, predict supply shortages and forecast future milk prices.

As part of our ongoing commitment to compliance with the https://code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/">Code of Practice for Official Statistics we wish to strengthen our engagement with users of milk production and composition data and better understand the use made of them and the types of decisions that they inform. Consequently, we invite users to register as a user of the milk production and composition data, so that we can retain your details and inform you of any new releases and provide you with the opportunity to take part in user engagement activities that we may run. If you would like to register as a user of the milk production and composition data, please provide your details in the attached form.

Next update: see the statistics release calendar

This publication gives previously published copies of the monthly National Statistics publication on UK milk prices and composition of milk that showed figures for 2024. Each publication gives the figures available at that time. The figures are subject to revision each month as new information becomes available.

The latest publication and accompanying data sets can be found here.

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. Additional information is collected by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on the protein and butterfat content of the milk. The UK average farm-gate milk price, protein content and butterfat content is then calculated.

This publication gives previously published copies of the monthly Accredited Official Statistics publication on UK milk prices and composition of milk that showed figures for 2025. Each publication gives the figures available at that time. The figures are subject to revision each month as new information becomes available.

The latest publication and accompanying data sets can be found here.

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. Additional information is collected by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on the protein and butterfat content of the milk. The UK average farm-gate milk price, protein content and butterfat content is then calculated.

This publication gives previously published copies of the monthly National Statistics publication on UK milk prices and composition of milk that showed figures for 2017. Each publication gives the figures available at that time. The figures are subject to revision each month as new information becomes available.

The latest publication and accompanying data sets can be found here.

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. Additional information is collected by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on the protein and butterfat content of the milk. The UK average farm-gate milk price, protein content and butterfat content is then calculated.

This publication gives previously published copies of the monthly National Statistics publication on UK milk prices and composition of milk that showed figures for 2020. Each publication gives the figures available at that time. The figures are subject to revision each month as new information becomes available.

The latest publication and accompanying data sets can be found here.

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. Additional information is collected by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on the protein and butterfat content of the milk. The UK average farm-gate milk price, protein content and butterfat content is then calculated.

This publication gives previously published copies of the monthly National Statistics publication on UK milk prices and composition of milk that showed figures for 2016. Each publication gives the figures available at that time. The figures are subject to revision each month as new information becomes available.

Milk price data for February can be found at Historical notices on UK milk prices and composition of milk – not National Statistics

The latest publication and accompanying data sets can be found here.

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. Additional information is collected by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on the protein and butterfat content of the milk. The UK average farm-gate milk price, protein content and butterfat content is then calculated.

These statistical notices have been re-issued without the National Statistics badge. Explanation of why this occurred can be found in each of the statistical notices

This publication gives previously published copies of the monthly National Statistics publication on UK milk prices and composition of milk that showed figures for 2023. Each publication gives the figures available at that time. The figures are subject to revision each month as new information becomes available.

The latest publication and accompanying data sets can be found here.

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. Additional information is collected by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on the protein and butterfat content of the milk. The UK average farm-gate milk price, protein content and butterfat content is then calculated.

This publication gives previously published copies of the monthly National Statistics publication on UK milk prices and composition of milk that showed figures for 2018. Each publication gives the figures available at that time. The figures are subject to revision each month as new information becomes available.

The latest publication and accompanying data sets can be found here.

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. Additional information is collected by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on the protein and butterfat content of the milk. The UK average farm-gate milk price, protein content and butterfat content is then calculated.

The Agricultural Price Index (API) is a monthly publication that measures the price changes in agricultural outputs and inputs for the UK. The output series reflects the price farmers receive for their products, also referred to as farm gate price. Information is collected for all major crops (for example wheat and potatoes) and on livestock and livestock products (for example sheep, milk and eggs). The input series reflects the price farmers pay for goods and services. This is split into two groups: goods and services currently consumed; and goods and services contributing to investment. Goods and services currently consumed refer to items that are used up in the production process, for example fertiliser, or seed. Goods and services contributing to investment relate to items that are required but not consumed in the production process, such as tractors or buildings.

A price index is a way of measuring relative price changes compared to a reference point or base year which is given a value of 100. The year used as the base year needs to be updated over time to reflect changing market trends. In accordance with the standardised methodology agreed across the EU the latest data are now presented with a base year of 2015=100. This replaces the previous data series which used a base year of 2010. Details of this methodology is described in the https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/Annexes/apri_pi_esms_an1.pdf" class="govuk-link">Handbook for EU agricultural price statistics.

Next update: see the statistics release calendar

  <p class="comments">
   You can also contact us via Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/DefraStats" class="govuk-link">https://twitter.com/DefraStats</a>
  </p>

</div>

The API is a measure of the monthly price changes in agricultural outputs and inputs for the UK. The output series reflects the price farmers receive for their products, also referred to as farm gate price. Information is collected for all major crops (for example wheat and potatoes) and on livestock and livestock products (for example sheep, milk and eggs). The input series reflects the price farmers pay for goods and services. This is split into two groups: goods and services currently consumed; and goods and services contributing to investment. Goods and services currently consumed refer to items that are used up in the production process, for example fertiliser, or seed. Goods and services contributing to investment relate to items that are required but not consumed in the production process, such as tractors or buildings.

The current indices are based on the year 2015 =100. The methodology used is standardised across EU member states and is described in the http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/statmanuals/files/Handbook%20for%20EU%20Agricultural%20Price%20Statistics%202008.pdf" class="govuk-link">Handbook for EU Agricultural Price Statistics.

Next update: see the statistics release calendar

<p>You can also contact us via Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/DefraStats" class="govuk-link">https://twitter.com/DefraStats</a></p>

This publication gives previously published copies of the monthly National Statistics publication on UK milk prices and composition of milk that showed figures for 2019. Each publication gives the figures available at that time. The figures are subject to revision each month as new information becomes available.

The latest publication and accompanying data sets can be found here.

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. Additional information is collected by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on the protein and butterfat content of the milk. The UK average farm-gate milk price, protein content and butterfat content is then calculated.

The API is a measure of the monthly price changes in agricultural outputs and inputs for the UK. The output series reflects the price farmers receive for their products, also referred to as farm gate price. Information is collected for all major crops (for example wheat and potatoes) and on livestock and livestock products (for example sheep, milk and eggs). The input series reflects the price farmers pay for goods and services. This is split into two groups: goods and services currently consumed; and goods and services contributing to investment. Goods and services currently consumed refer to items that are used up in the production process, for example fertiliser, or seed. Goods and services contributing to investment relate to items that are required but not consumed in the production process, such as tractors or buildings.

The current indices are based on the year 2015 =100. The methodology used is standardised across EU member states and is described in the http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/statmanuals/files/Handbook%20for%20EU%20Agricultural%20Price%20Statistics%202008.pdf" class="govuk-link">Handbook for EU Agricultural Price Statistics.

Next update: see the statistics release calendar

  <p class="comments">
   You can also contact us via Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/DefraStats" class="govuk-link">https://twitter.com/DefraStats</a>
  </p>

</div>

This annual publication provides an overview of agriculture in the UK. It contains an extensive range of data including farm incomes, land use, livestock numbers, prices, production of key commodities (eg wheat, milk, vegetables), overseas trade, organic farming and the environment. The information is used widely by government, industry, researchers and other stakeholders to support policy monitoring and development.

The content of the publication has been produced to comply with accessibility standards WCAG2.1 in two formats, Portable Document Format (pdf) and Open Document Text (odt). The odt file allows you to make changes such as the size of the text and the colours used in images or charts.

Agriculture in the United Kingdom datasets.

Next update: see the statistics release calendar

The API is a measure of the monthly price changes in agricultural outputs and inputs for the UK. The output series reflects the price farmers receive for their products, also referred to as farm gate price. Information is collected for all major crops (for example wheat and potatoes) and on livestock and livestock products (for example sheep, milk and eggs). The input series reflects the price farmers pay for goods and services. This is split into two groups: goods and services currently consumed; and goods and services contributing to investment. Goods and services currently consumed refer to items that are used up in the production process, for example fertiliser, or seed. Goods and services contributing to investment relate to items that are required but not consumed in the production process, such as tractors or buildings.

The current indices are based on the year 2010 =100. The methodology used is standardised across EU member states and is described in the http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/statmanuals/files/Handbook%20for%20EU%20Agricultural%20Price%20Statistics%202008.pdf">Handbook for EU Agricultural Price Statistics.

<p class="govuk-body">You can also contact us via Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/DefraStats" class="govuk-link">https://twitter.com/DefraStats</a></p>