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.