UK dairy product availability: Mixed picture in Q4 2023

Dairy product availability* remained mixed in the fourth quarter of 2023 with milk powders registering some small growth year-on-year while cheese and butter saw a drop in available supplies. Lower milk production during the period contributed to production declines for butter and cheese. UK milk deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2023 (Oct -Dec) declined by 1.8% year on year to 3,570m litres. So far this milk year (Apr23 – Feb24), deliveries have declined modestly by 0.1% compared to the 2022/23 season. Cheese production declined by 3,600 tonnes (2.9%) year-on-year and imports fell by 1,300 tonnes (1.2%). Exports of cheese denoted a significant increase of 9.6% (4,400 tonnes) during the period and is the only product to register an increase in export volume. This resulted in available supplies tightening by 4.9% (9,200 tonnes). Butter production declined by 4,800 tonnes year on year in Q4. Exports fell by 1,600 tonnes (13.3%). Lower production resulted in drop in exports. ...