National statistics

Figures to February 2018 (published 22 March 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-february-2018-published-22-march-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 February 2018 is 29.64 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 2.4% (0.73 ppl) decrease on January 2018 and is 7.9% (2.16 ppl) higher than the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).

  • Butterfat is up 0.3% on last month at 4.16%.Compared to last year butterfat is 0.5% higher than February 2017. (Figures 1.3a).

  • January volumes decreased following seasonal trends to 1,132 million litres, a fall of 8.3% on the previous month. Milk volumes are up 1.2% on January 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 February 2108

1.3 Average butterfat and protein content of United Kingdom produced milk

1.3a. Butterfat %

a. Butterfat % to February 2018

1.3b. Protein %

b. Protein % to February 2018

1.4 United Kingdom wholesale milk production (million litres)

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

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

Percentage change in key items: February 2018 compared to February 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.

Milk production, butterfat and protein are running at 5 year highs.

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 2016, including retrospective payments, is 22.74 ppl, which is 7.8% lower than the 24.66 ppl (including retrospective payments) farmers received in 2015. (Bonus data for 2017 production is not available yet).

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 February was 90%. Northern Ireland data for February 2018 is an estimate. Revisions to January 2018 data are due to receiving actual data from Northern Ireland.

The next update of this monthly notice is at 09:30 on 26th April 2018.

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

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

Defra, Rm 201,
Foss House,
Kings Pool,
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