Dairy retail performance – 19 April 2025

Cow’s milk volumes continued to decrease, back 2.2% year-on-year, despite seeing an additional 184,000 shoppers during the period (NIQ, 52 w/e 19 April 2025). Volume declines were seen for semi-skimmed, skimmed and other (including specialty cow’s milk such as channel island), while whole milk continued to see volume growth (+2.6%) driven by an additional 781,000 shoppers.

Cow’s cheese remained in volume growth, up 4.3% year-on-year, likely helped by average price decreasing by 1.2%. Spend during the period increased by 3.0%, (NIQ, 52 w/e 19 April 2025). Cheddar, which represents 41.5% of all cow cheese volumes, saw a 5.3% increase in volumes. Almost all cow cheeses saw year-on-year volume growth with the exception of British regionals which saw a 2.4% decrease in volumes purchased.

Cow’s butter, at a total level, experienced a 2.4% decline in volume but a 4.2% increase in spending; this was driven by 6.7% increase in average price paid (NIQ, 52 w/e 19 April 2025). Block butter, however, continued to see volume increases of 6.7% driven by an increase in shopper numbers and an increase in shopper frequency of purchase. Plant-based spread volumes also continued to increase (+2.7%) despite a decrease in shopper numbers. However, those shoppers who remained purchased in greater quantities and more frequently which contributed to the positive performance of plant-based spread.

Cow's yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and fromage frais volumes continue to see growth (+6.2%), with spend increasing by 8.8% (NIQ, 52 w/e 19 April 2025). All products saw volume growth during the period, apart from fromage frais (-10.4%). Cow’s fat free yoghurt saw the greatest actual growth with an additional 11.2m kilos purchased year-on-year (+7.5%), while cow’s standard plain yoghurt saw the fastest growth of 24.0% year-on-year.

Cow's cream volumes grew by 1.7% year-on-year, driven by increased frequency of purchase and increase in volume per shop (NIQ, 52 w/e 19 April 2025). Double and sour cream both 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. 

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