Dairy retail performance – 24 January 2026

Cows’ milk volumes saw a 1.7% decline in volumes purchased year-on-year², while spend saw a 6.7% increase, driven by an 8.5% increase in average prices paid.

Declines were seen for semi-skimmed, skimmed, and other cows’ milk. Whole milk continued to see volume growth, with a 2.6% increase year-on-year, due to more buyers. Other animal-sourced milk also saw volume growth.

Cows’ cheese remained in volume growth, seeing a 1.6% increase year-on-year.² Spend grew by 4% during this period, driven by volume gains and a 2.4% increase in average prices.

The volume increases in cheese are in part due to a successful Christmas, where cheeseboards were an important part of celebrations.

Cheddar, which represents a majority (44.8%) of all cow cheese volumes, saw a 0.7% increase. Other cows’ cheese (+11.3%) and snacking (+9.3%) also saw growth.

Cottage cheese makes up 24% of the other cows’ cheese category, but accounted for more than 58% of growth for other cows’ cheese. This growth offset declines in specialty and continental, British regionals, processed, and Stilton and British blue.

Cows’ butter saw a 0.6% decrease in volumes purchased year-on-year (NIQ, 12 w/e 24 January 2026). However, spend saw a 3.7% increase year on year, driven by a 4.4% increase in average prices paid.

Block butter continues to be the only subcategory to see volume growth (+4.7%). This growth is due to consumers wanting less ultra processed and more natural foods.

However, this growth was not enough to offset the decline in cow butter spread volumes (-3.2%).

Cows’ yogurt, yogurt drinks and fromage frais volumes continue to see growth (+5.9%), with spend increasing 10.1% year-on-year.² Average prices paid grew 4%.

Cows’ standard plain yogurt saw the fastest growth of 19.6% year-on-year, while cows’ fat-free yogurt saw the greatest actual growth, with an additional 4.3m kilos purchased year-on-year (+12.9%).

Cows’ cream volumes saw a 0.3% increase year-on-year, with an 8.7% increase in average prices paid, and a 9% increase in spend.²

Cream also performed well due to Christmas falling within this period. Growth in clotted, aerosol, crème fraiche, double and cow cream other drove this performance. Volume declines were seen by whipping (-11.9%), single (-4.4%) and sour cream (-0.1%).

¹ NIQ Homescan POD, Total GB

² NIQ, 12 w/e 24 January 2026

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.