Dairy retail performance – 21 March 2026

Cows’ milk

Cows’ milk saw a 1.6% decline in litres purchased year-on-year¹, while increasing average prices saw spend up by 6.0%.

Declines were seen for semi-skimmed, skimmed and other cows’ milk. Whole milk continued to see volume growth, with a 2.7% increase year-on-year, due to more buyers. Plant-based milk also saw volume growth.

Cows’ cheese

Cows’ cheese remained in volume growth, seeing a 1.9% increase year-on-year¹. Spend grew by 3.1% during this period, driven by volume gains and a 1.1% increase in average prices.

Cheddar fell into volume decline this period, down 0.5%. However it continues to be the most purchased cheese in Britain, accounting for 45% of cows' cheese volumes. British regionals and processed cheese also saw declines.

Growth in cheese was driven by snacking and other cow cheeses. The top three growing sub categories within cows' cheese were cottage cheese (+1,351 tonnes), soft white cheese (+688 tonnes) and kids snacking (+589 tonnes). These categories have seen growth due to consumers wanting convenient, healthier options.

Cows’ butter

Cows’ butter saw a 0.9% decrease in volumes purchased year-on-year¹. Spend on butter fell in to decline this period, down 0.1% but average prices were still up 0.9%.

Block butter continues to see volume growth (+7.1%), due to falling average prices and consumers wanting less ultra-processed and more natural foods. However, this growth was not enough to offset the decline in cow butter spread volumes (-4.4%).

Cows’ yogurt, yogurt drinks and fromage frais

Volumes continue to see growth (+6.6%), with spend increasing 8.6% year-on-year¹. This growth is driven by both new and repeat shoppers.

Cows’ standard plain yogurt saw the fastest growth, up 27.1% year-on-year, while cows’ fat-free yogurt saw the greatest actual growth, with an additional 4.4m kg purchased year-on-year (+10.9%).

Cows’ cream

Cows’ cream volumes remained in growth, up 2.0% year-on-year, with an 7.8% increase in average prices paid leading to an 9.9% increase in spend¹.

The majority of growth is through double cream (+3.8%) with an additional 410K litres due to existing shoppers buying more often – potentially due to Mother’s Day demand. Aerosol cream, which had been in strong growth, lost shoppers this period, so fell into decline.

¹ NIQ Homescan POD, Total GB, 12 w/e 21 March 2026

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