United Kingdom milk prices and composition of milk - December 2019 statistics (published 23 January 2020)
Updated 20 February 2020
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/historical-statistic-notices-on-uk-milk-prices-and-composition-of-milk-2019/united-kingdom-milk-prices-and-composition-of-milk-december-2019-statistics-published-23-january-2020
1. 1.1 Key messages
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This release shows the latest information on average farm-gate milk prices, volumes and the butterfat and protein content of UK produced milk.
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The UK average farm-gate milk price for December is 29.32 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 1.8% (0.53 ppl) decrease on November 2019 and a 3.6% decrease on the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).
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Butterfat is down 1.3% on last month at 4.25%. Compared to last year butterfat is 2.3% higher than December 2018. (Figures 1.3a).
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Protein is down 1.7% on last month at 3.41%. Compared to last year protein is 1.1% higher than December 2018. (Figures 1.3b).
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December volumes are 1,228 million litres up 5.1% on November 2019 and 1.1% lower than December 2018. (Figure 1.4).
2. 1.2 United Kingdom farm-gate milk price (pence per litre)
3. 1.3 Average butterfat and protein content of United Kingdom produced milk
3.1 1.3a. Butterfat %
3.2 1.3b. Protein %
4. 1.4 United Kingdom wholesale milk production (million litres)
5. 1.5 Percentage change in key items: December 2019 compared to December 2018
6. 1.6 Trends
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 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.
7. 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 2018, including retrospective payments, is 29.69 ppl, 0.43 ppl more than the annual average price without retrospective payments (29.26 ppl). In 2018 total retrospective payments were 2.8% higher than 2017 at £63.1 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.
8. 1.8 Revisions and estimates
England and Wales survey response in December was 97%. Northern Ireland data for December 2019 is an estimate.
8.1 National Statistics status
National Statistics status means that our statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value, and it is our responsibility to maintain compliance with these standards. The statistics last underwent a full assessment [Assessment Report 271 Statistics on Agriculture] against the Code of Practice for Statistics in 2014. Since the latest review by the Office for Statistics Regulation, we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics and have enhanced data quality by reviewing methodologies and data sources.
The next update of this monthly notice is at 09:30 on 20th February 2020.
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