National statistics

Figures to August 2018 (published 25 September 2018)

Updated 21 February 2019

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/historical-statistics-notices-on-uk-milk-prices-and-composition-of-milk-2018/figures-to-august-2018-published-25-september-2018

1.1Key messages

  • This release shows the latest information on average farm-gate milk prices, volumes and the butterfat and protein content of UK produced milk.

  • The UK average farm-gate milk price for August 2018 is 29.73 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 4.1% (1.18 ppl) increase on July 2018 and a 2.3% increase on the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).

  • Butterfat is up 3.8% on last month at 4.04%. Compared to last year butterfat is 0.7% higher than August 2017. (Figures 1.3a).

  • August volumes decreased following seasonal trends to 1,196 million litres, a fall of 2.8% on the previous month. Milk volumes are down 0.7% on August 2017. (Figure 1.4).

1.2 United Kingdom farm-gate milk price (pence per litre)

United Kingdom farm-gate milk price (pence per litre) to August 2018

1.3 Average butterfat and protein content of United Kingdom produced milk

1.3a. Butterfat %

a. Butterfat % to August 2018

1.3b. Protein %

b. Protein % to August 2018

1.4 United Kingdom wholesale milk production (million litres)

United Kingdom wholesale milk production (million litres) to August 2018

1.5 Percentage change in key items: August 2018 compared to August 2017

Percentage change in key items: August 2018 compared to August 2017

Figures 1.2 to 1.4 above show the values for the latest 12 months along with the maximum and minimum monthly values. Trends can be seen, notably the spring flush in milk production and the drop in butterfat as the dairy herd diet changes when they are put out to grass in the summer. There is a strong positive correlation between milk composition (butterfat and protein content) and milk price.

1.7 Retrospective payments

Some companies make retrospective bonus payments. We do not reflect these payments in the monthly milk price figures. The annual average price for farm-gate milk in 2017, including retrospective payments, is 28.86 ppl, 0.16 ppl more than the annual average price without retrospective payments (28.70 ppl). In 2017 total retrospective payments were 2.5% lower than 2016 at £24.2 million.

A retrospective payment is when a company makes a payment to a farmer that is outside the normal contract price they receive and is generally paid on prior production, for example profit sharing.

1.8 Revisions and estimates

England and Wales survey response in August was 100%. Northern Ireland data for August 2018 is an estimate. Revisions to April - July 2018 data are due to receiving revised data and actual data replacing estimates for Northern Ireland.

The next update of this monthly notice is at 09:30 on 25th October 2018.

Enquiries to: Julie Rumsey, Tel: +44 (0) 208 026 6306

email: julie.rumsey@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Defra, Rm 202,
Foss House,
Kings Pool,
1-2 Peasholme Green,
York,
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