National statistics

United Kingdom milk prices and composition of milk - May statistics (published 25 June 2020)

Updated 25 February 2021

1. 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 May 2020 is 26.83 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 2.4% (0.67 ppl) decrease on April 2020 and a 3.6% decrease on the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).

• Butterfat is down 2.9% on last month at 4.01%. Compared to last year butterfat is 1.2% higher than May 2019. (Figures 1.3a).

• Protein is down 0.3% on last month at 3.32%. Compared to last year protein is 1.0% lower than May 2019. (Figures 1.3b).

• This month saw a smaller increase in milk volume compared to previous May’s, this is likely due to reduced production from farmers who are responding to the current surplus of milk. May volumes are 1,378 million litres up 4.1% on April 2020 and 1.2% lower than May 2019. (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: May 2020 compared to May 2019

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. 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

UK Price data for April has changed to 27.50 ppl, while volumes increased to 1324 million litres.

England and Wales survey response in May was 93%. Northern Ireland data for April and May 2020 is an estimate.

8.1 1.9 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 23rdJuly 2020.

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

email: julie.rumsey@defra.gov.uk

Defra, Rm 201,
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