Dairy retail performance – 17 May 2025

During the 52 weeks ending 17 May 2025, volumes of cow’s dairy declined by 1.0% year-on-year (NIQ Homescan POD, Total GB). Spend on cow’s dairy increased by 3.0% year-on-year, due to a growth in average prices of 4.0%. 

Cow’s milk volumes continued to decrease, seeing a 2.4% year-on-year (NIQ, 52 w/e 17 May 2025) with a corresponding decline in spend of 2.1%, driven by a decline in in frequency of purchase and volumes purchased per trip. Volume declines were seen for semi-skimmed, skimmed and other cow’s milk (including channel island and 1% fat milk), while whole milk continued to see volume growth (+2.3%) due to an increase in shopper numbers.

Cow’s cheese remained in volume growth, up 3.4% year-on-year, and spend during the period increased by 2.9%, (NIQ, 52 w/e 17 May 2025). Cheddar, which represents 41.5% of all cow cheese volumes, saw a 4.3% increase in volumes. Almost all cow cheeses saw year-on-year volume growth, apart from British regionals and processed, which saw a 4.1% and 1.6% decrease in volumes purchased, respectively.

Cow’s butter, at a total level, experienced a 2.3% decline in volume but a 5.4% increase in spending, which was driven by 7.9% increase in average price paid (NIQ, 52 w/e 17 May 2025). Block butter, however, continued to see volume increases of 6.6%, driven by an increase in shopper numbers and an increase in shopper frequency of purchase. Cow butter spreads, which represent 69.1% of all cow’s butter, saw a volume decrease of 5.8%. Plant-based spread volumes also continued to increase (+1.4%) despite a decrease in shopper numbers. However, those shoppers who remained made more frequent purchases, likely due to a 3.7% decrease in average prices paid.  

Cow's yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and fromage frais volumes continue to see growth (+5.8%), with spend increasing by 8.7% (NIQ, 52 w/e 17 May 2025). All segments saw volume growth during the period, apart from fromage frais (-11.1%). Cow’s fat free yoghurt saw the greatest actual growth with an additional 12.1m kilos purchased year-on-year (+8.1%), while cow’s standard plain yoghurt saw the fastest growth of 23.1% year-on-year.

Cow's cream volumes experienced a 1.7% increase year-on-year, driven by increased frequency of purchase and increase in volume purchased per shop (NIQ, 52 w/e 17 May 2025). Clotted (+3.1%), double (+4.7%) and sour cream (+5.5%) all experienced volume growth and drove overall cow cream performance.

See the full data and these insights visualised on our GB household dairy purchases retail dashboard. 

Sign up to receive the latest information from AHDB.

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.