Projected farmgate milk price changes

Updated 23 August 2024

These projections indicate the expected movements in farmgate milk prices for the next three months, based on movements in the dairy markets.

Overview

Post holiday demand lifted dairy wholesale prices across all product category in August.
AMPE gained 2.2p month on month to stand at 42.7ppl on the back of strong growth (7%) in butter prices.
MCVE also grew month on month up 1.3p to 40.9ppl. This followed moderate growth (2%) in mild cheddar prices.
These changes resulted in the market value of milk (MMV) strengthening by 1.5p to sit at 41.3ppl in August.
Increased demand amidst a background of limited product availability is influencing future pricing, with concerns around coverage for the latter part of the year.
The market indicators were updated in July to reflect cost data up to Q1 2024. The next be update will be in October using Q2 2024 data.

pable showing indicative price changes for 3 months for domestic milk prices

Additional information

The projected change is based on the strong link found between movements in the value returned to manufacturers from the market (MMV) and movements in farmgate milk prices.
On average, it was found that a 1ppl change in the MMV will lead to around a 0.5ppl change in the overall GB average milk price, generally three months’ later.
Differences will arise due to the markets in which milk buyers operate as well as the mechanism they use to set the milk price. These will impact the timing of price movements as well as the size of the change.
Other factors which are likely to impact milk prices will be the degree of competition for milk in the market, changes to available processing capacity, import competition and contract negotiations.
[1] The Milk Market Value (MMV) is a weighted average of AMPE and MCVE on a 20:80 basis. This was found to be the best predictor of movements in farmgate prices based on historical data. The analysis was done excluding prices paid on retailer-aligned contracts. The impact of the adjustment of AMPE and MCVE following the 2020 review has been accounted for, and the model updated.

Visit the UK farmgate milk prices page

Visit the Market Indicators page

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.