Large gap between milk price and retail price

Farm-gate milk prices show a sharp decline, but this price pressure has limited effect on product prices and hardly any on consumer prices. This is evident from recent index figures for November 2025. According to figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the consumer price index (CPI) for dairy in November 2025 stood at 134 points (2020=100). This kept the CPI at the same level as in October and slightly below September. The producer price index (PPI) fell by over 4% compared to September and by over 6% compared to November 2024. The farm-gate price index (API) even dropped to 136 points: –17% compared to September and –16% year-on-year. Clear differences are visible within the CPI. Fresh semi-skimmed and skimmed milk has the lowest price index. While this product increased at the same rate as other dairy products in 2017–2022, the price fell by 14% between May 2023 and November 2024, while other products remained more stable. One explanation is that the price of fresh ...