UK dairy product availability: Mixed picture in Q4 2023

Published Mar 12, 2024

Tridge summary

The UK's dairy product availability in Q4 2023 showed varied trends. While milk powders experienced a slight increase in production and supply, cheese and butter supplies saw a decline due to reduced milk production. Despite a drop in cheese production and imports, exports surged, tightening the overall supply. Butter production and exports also fell, leading to lower supplies. The future of milk deliveries and product supply remains uncertain due to potential market pressures and global trade dynamics.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

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. ...

Source: Ahdb