Dairy Retail performance – 3 October 2026

Cows’ milk

Milk volumes declined by 0.4% year-on-year¹, while spend increased by 1.1%, driven by a 1.6% increase in average price per litre.

Declines were seen for semi-skimmed (−2.2%) and skimmed milk (−2.8%). Whole milk continued to outperform the category, with volumes increasing by 3.1%. Other cows also performed strongly, increasing by 79.7%. Growth in these milk subcategories may reflect consumer interest in more natural and less processed products.

Plant-based milk volumes remained broadly stable (+0.2%), while spend increased by % due to higher average prices.

Cows’ cheese

Cow cheese remained in volume growth, increasing by 1.8% year-on-year¹. Spend declined by −0.7%, possibly due to a −.4% decrease in average prices.

Volume growth was led by other cow cheese (+10.2%), supported by strong sales of cottage cheese and soft white cheese, followed by snacking (+4.1%) and speciality and continental (+3.5%). All these cheese categories seeing the most growth through increasing purchase frequency.

These gains offset declines in cheddar (−1.7%), British regionals (−3.0%), processed (−1.1%) and stilton and British blue (−12.7%).

Cows’ butter 

Butter volumes declined by 2.5% year-on-year¹. Spend decreased by 6.9% due to average prices paid falling by 4.6% per kilo.

Block butter remained the strongest-performing butter segment, with volumes increasing by 3.7% due to an increase in people buying it. However, this growth was not enough to offset declines in butter spreads, which fell by 5.6% primarily due to less buyers, resulting in an overall decline for the category.

Cows’ yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and fromage frais 

Cows' yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and fromage frais volumes increased by 7.2% year-on-year¹, with spend increasing by 9.7%. Average prices paid rose by 2.4%.

Growth was driven by increased volumes purchased across several yoghurt subcategories. Standard plain yoghurt (+18.0%), healthy yoghurt (+16.8%) and fat-free yoghurt (+10.2%) were among the strongest performers. Yoghurt drinks also remained in growth (+6.4%), reflecting continued demand for convenient products.

However, some subcategories remained in decline, including kids (−3.9%), standard flavoured (−2.2%), split pot (−1.6%) and fromage fraise (−4.0%). This could be a result of consumer health trends and a push for less ultra processed foods.

Cows’ cream 

Cream volumes grew by 0.3% year-on-year¹. Spend increased by 0.5%, while average prices paid rose by 0.2%.

Performance was mixed across the category. Double cream (+2.2%), whipping cream (+9.6%) and sour cream (+0.9%) remained in growth due to an increase in volume per trip for all, while declines were seen for single cream (−3.5%), crème fraiche, clotted cream (both −7.2%) and aerosol (−1.8%).

See the full data and these insights visualised on our GB household dairy purchases retail dashboard.

¹ NIQ Homescan POD, Total GB, 12 w/e 3 October 2026 

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