United Kingdom milk prices and composition of milk statistics notice - March 2023 statistics (published 27 April 2023)
Updated 29 February 2024
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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 March 2023 is 45.98 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 4.8% (2.32ppl) decrease on February 2023 and a 23% increase on the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).
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Butterfat increased 0.7% from last month at 4.34%. Compared to last year, butterfat is 1.5% higher than March 2022. (Figures 1.3a).
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Protein was unchanged from last month at 3.38%. Compared to last year, protein is 0.7% higher than March 2022. (Figures 1.3b).
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March volumes are 1,320 million litres, up 15% on Febraury 2023 and 0.8% higher than March 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: March 2023 compared to March 2022
| Item | Percentage change |
|---|---|
| Milk price | 22.6 |
| Milk volume | 0.8 |
| Butterfat | 1.5 |
| Protein | 0.7 |
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 March there was further 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 February has changed to 1,151 million litres.
England and Wales survey response in March was 100%.
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 25th May 2023.
Enquiries to: Julie Rumsey, Tel: +44 (0) 208 026 6306
email: julie.rumsey@defra.gov.uk
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