AHDB reports higher British milk production mid-year

British milk production recorded new peaks this milk season boosted by favourable dairy economics, according to Soumya Behera, senior analyst (dairy) at the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB). UK milk deliveries in the second quarter of the calendar year (Apr–Jun) totalled 4.2 billion litres (6.3%) higher year-on-year. This has built supplies of dairy products in the second quarter of 2025.

Cheese stocks were reported to be in surplus due to a 6% boost in production (7,500 tonnes) compared to last year. Most imports came from the EU followed by New Zealand. Though overall imports were on the higher side, there were less imports from New Zealand during the quarter year-on-year. Lower imports from New Zealand were compensated for by increasing imports from the EU (France, Ireland and Spain).

UK cheese prices have been less attractive on the global market, Behera notes. Despite this, export demand picked up from some Asian and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) nations growing by 5% (3,000 tonnes). The combination of these factors resulted in available supplies of cheese growing by 3% (6,500 tonnes).

Butter supplies grew after the scarcity seen in the first quarter of 2025 measured against the same period last year. Production increased by 18% (9,000 tonnes) year-on-year in the second quarter, following higher prices in UK wholesale markets, and also record high milk volumes in the domestic market growing availability of dairy fats for processing. Imports also picked up by 5% (1,000 tonnes) during the period following availability of cheaper US and Oceania butter in the market. Exports declined marginally by 1% as UK butter remained less competitively priced on the global market. Higher production and imports paired with lower exports resulted in a growth in butter stocks of 18% (10,000 tonnes).