Accredited official statistics

United Kingdom milk prices and composition of milk - October 2019 statistics (published 28 November 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-october-2019-statistics-published-28-november-2019

1. 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 October is 29.35 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 0.4% (0.12 ppl) decrease on September 2019 and a 6.7% decrease on the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).

  • Butterfat is up 2.1% on last month at 4.23%. Compared to last year butterfat is 1.5% higher than October 2018. (Figures 1.3a).

  • Protein is up 1.0% on last month at 3.45%. Compared to last year protein is 0.2% higher than October 2018. (Figures 1.3b).

  • October volumes are 1,193 million litres up 3.1% on September 2019 and 0.6% lower than October 2018. (Figure 1.4).

2. 1.2 United Kingdom farm-gate milk price (pence per litre)

United Kingdom farm-gate milk price (pence per litre) to October 2019

3. 1.3 Average butterfat and protein content of United Kingdom produced milk

3.1 1.3a. Butterfat %

a. Butterfat % to October 2019

3.2 1.3b. Protein %

b. Protein % to October 2019

4. 1.4 United Kingdom wholesale milk production (million litres)

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

5. 1.5 Percentage change in key items: October 2019 compared to October 2018

Percentage change in key items: October 2019 compared to October 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.

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 October was 94%. Northern Ireland data for October 2019 is an estimate.

The next update of this monthly notice is at 09:30 on 9th January 2020.

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,
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