Search our website enhanced by Google.
- Home
- Markets and prices
- Dairy markets - Imports and exports - UK dairy trade
UK dairy trade
Updated March 2026
This page gives quarterly overview of UK dairy trade. For a detailed look at the latest monthly data please visit our dairy trade dashboard.
Imports
Table 1. UK dairy imports Oct–Dec 2024 vs 2025 (tonnes)
| Product group | Q4 2024 | Q4 2025 | ||||
| EU | Non-EU | Total | EU | Non-EU | Total | |
| Milk and cream | 57,983 | 0 | 57,983 | 48,811 | 0 | 48,811 |
| Powdered and condensed milk | 20,820 | 128 | 20,947 | 21,981 | 174 | 22,155 |
| Yogurt, buttermilk, etc. | 77,064 | 79 | 77,143 | 75,804 | 576 | 76,380 |
| Whey and whey products | 21,104 | 69 | 21,173 | 20,466 | 27 | 20,493 |
| Butter and other dairy fats | 17,197 | 155 | 17,352 | 13,357 | 902 | 14,258 |
| Cheese and curd | 110,182 | 1,311 | 111,493 | 118,575 | 989 | 119,564 |
| Total | 304,350 | 1,741 | 306,091 | 298,994 | 2,669 | 301,662 |
Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC
Figure 1. UK dairy imports, Oct–Dec 2024 vs 2025 ('000 tonnes)
Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC
Exports
Table 2. UK dairy exports Oct–Dec 2024 vs 2025 (tonnes)
| Product group | Q4 2024 | Q4 2025 | ||||
| EU | Non-EU | Total | EU | Non-EU | Total | |
| Milk and cream | 168,817 | 4,567 | 173,384 | 225,060 | 5,107 | 230,168 |
| Powdered and condensed milk | 18,998 | 7,613 | 26,611 | 23,173 | 17,667 | 40,840 |
| Yogurt, buttermilk, etc. | 9,414 | 1,422 | 10,835 | 7,200 | 3,024 | 10,224 |
| Whey and whey products | 11,957 | 6,332 | 18,288 | 14,368 | 2,842 | 17,210 |
| Butter and other dairy fats | 10,045 | 696 | 10,741 | 12,199 | 1,752 | 13,951 |
| Cheese and curd | 35,073 | 11,806 | 46,880 | 40,900 | 13,851 | 54,751 |
| Total | 254,303 | 32,436 | 286,739 | 322,901 | 44,244 | 367,144 |
Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC
Figure 2. UK dairy exports, Oct–Dec 2024 vs 2025 ('000 tonnes)
Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC
Overview
- Total dairy export volume for Q4 2025 was up 28% on Q4 2024, at 367.1 Kt
- Total dairy import volume for Q4 2025 was down 1.5% on Q4 2025, at 301.7 Kt
- Exports of dairy products noticed remarkable growth except yogurt and whey and whey products
- Exports of milk and cream increased by 56,800 t (32.8%), milk powders by 14,200 t (53.5%), cheese and curd up by 7900 t (16.8%) and butter by 3200 t (29.9%)
- Exports of whey and whey products declined by 1100 t (5.9%) and yogurt declined by 600 t (5.6%)
- Good demand and increase in supplies of dairy products boosted exports, however, the tariff structure between different countries will influence trade flows
Latest dairy trade news
Additional information
Further publication of the trade flow information is prohibited unless expressly permitted by Trade Data Monitor LLC.
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.