National statistics

United Kingdom milk prices and composition of milk statistics notice - February 2023 statistics (published 30 March 2023)

Updated 29 February 2024

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 February 2023 is 48.06 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 2.3% (1.13ppl) decrease on January 2023 and a 33% increase on the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).

• Butterfat decreased 0.3% from last month at 4.31%. Compared to last year, butterfat is 1.1% higher than February 2022. (Figures 1.3a).

• Protein decreased 0.4% from last month at 3.38%. Compared to last year, protein is 1.0% higher than February 2022. (Figures 1.3b).

• February volumes are 1,151 million litres, down 7.6% on January 2023 and 2.0% higher than February 2022. (Figure 1.4).

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

1.3 Average butterfat and protein content of United Kingdom produced milk

1.3a. Butterfat %

1.3b. Protein %

1.4 United Kingdom wholesale milk production (million litres)

1.5 Percentage change in key items: February 2023 compared to February 2022

Item	Percentage change
Milk price	32.9
Milk volume	2.0
Butterfat	1.1
Protein	1.0

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 generally a strong positive correlation between milk composition (butterfat and protein content) and milk price.

Farm-gate milk prices reached record highs in 2022, peaking at 51.6ppl in December 2022. In February there was a reduction in price following a decreasing trend in dairy commodity values.

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 2019, including retrospective payments, is 29.10 ppl, 0.23 ppl more than the annual average price without retrospective payments (28.87 ppl). In 2019 total retrospective payments were 2.0% lower than 2018 at £34.7 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

UK volume data for January has changed to 1,246 million litres.

England and Wales survey response in February was 89%.

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 27th April 2023.

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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