United Kingdom milk prices and composition of milk statistics notice - September 2022 statistics (published 27 October 2022)
Updated 2 March 2023
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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 September 2022 is 48.86 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 3.8% (1.78 ppl) increase on August 2022 and a 55% increase on the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).
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Butterfat increased 2.9% from last month at 4.21%. Compared to last year, butterfat is 1.1% higher than September 2021. (Figures 1.3a).
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Protein increased 2.0% from last month at 3.38%. Compared to last year, protein is 0.8% higher than September 2021. (Figures 1.3b).
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September volumes are 1,157 million litres, down 2.6% on August 2022 and 0.2% higher than September 2021. (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: September 2022 compared to September 2021
| Item | Percentage change |
|---|---|
| Milk price | 54.7 |
| Milk volume | 0.2 |
| Butterfat | 1.1 |
| Protein | 0.8 |
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. However, in the last year, milk prices have continually risen and are at the highest level seen in the time series.
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 August has changed to 1,187 million litres.
England and Wales survey response in September was 86%.
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 24th November 2022.
Enquiries to: Julie Rumsey, Tel: +44 (0) 208 026 6306
email: julie.rumsey@defra.gov.uk
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