Figures to April 2018 (published 31 May 2018)
Updated 21 February 2019
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/historical-statistics-notices-on-uk-milk-prices-and-composition-of-milk-2018/figures-to-april-2018-published-31-may-2018
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 April 2018 is 27.43 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 3.7% (1.06 ppl) decrease on March 2018 and is 1.9% (0.50 ppl) higher than the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).
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Butterfat is down 1.6% on last month at 4.13%. Compared to last year butterfat is 1.8% higher than April 2017. (Figures 1.3a).
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April volumes increased following seasonal trends to 1,287 million litres, a rise of 1.5% on the previous month. Milk volumes are down 0.8% on April 2017. (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: April 2018 compared to April 2017
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 and the drop in butterfat 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 2017, including retrospective payments, is 28.86 ppl, 0.16 ppl more than the annual average price without retrospective payments (28.70 ppl). In 2017 total retrospective payments were 2.5% lower than 2016 at £24.2 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 April was 97%. Northern Ireland data for April 2018 is an estimate. Revisions to March 2018 data are due to receiving actual data from Northern Ireland.
The next update of this monthly notice is at 09:30 on 28th June 2018.
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