National statistics

United Kingdom milk prices and composition of milk - August 2019 statistics (published 26 September 2019)

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-statistics-notice-data-for-august-2019

1.1 Key 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 is 28.80 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 1.5% (0.43 ppl) increase on July 2019 and a 2.9% decrease on the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).

  • Butterfat is up 2.1% on last month at 4.03%. Compared to last year butterfat is 1.3% higher than August 2018. (Figures 1.3a).

  • August volumes are 1,207 million litres down 4.6% on July 2019 and 0.9% higher than August 2018. (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 2019

1.3 Average butterfat and protein content of United Kingdom produced milk

1.3a. Butterfat %

a. Butterfat % to August 2019

1.3b. Protein %

b. Protein % to August 2019

1.4 United Kingdom wholesale milk production (million litres)

United Kingdom wholesale milk production (million litres) to August 2019

1.5 Percentage change in key items: August 2019 compared to August 2018

Percentage change in key items: August 2019 compared to August 2018

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.

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.

1.8 Revisions and estimates

England and Wales survey response in August was 94%. Northern Ireland data for August 2019 is an estimate.

The next update of this monthly notice is at 09:30 on 24th October 2019.

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

email: julie.rumsey@defra.gov.uk

Defra, Rm 201,
Foss House,
Kings Pool,
1-2 Peasholme Green,
York,
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