Global appetite for UK dairy sees exports hit record high of £2.2 billion

Exports of dairy from the UK topped £2 billion last year, setting a new record for the sector as the global appetite for world-class produce continues to grow.

Latest figures from HMRC revealed the total value of UK dairy exports in 2025 was £2.2 billion – up 16.6% on the year. Total UK dairy export volume for 2025 also increased by 9.1% to 1.35 million tonnes year-on-year.

The importance of the EU was highlighted, with shipments to markets in the trade bloc accounting for 73.9% of the total value of UK dairy exports.

The value of UK dairy exports to non-EU markets also returned impressive figures, supported by the fantastic work of AHDB’s in-market representatives in Asia and the Middle East. In particular:

• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has overtaken the USA as the largest market outside of Europe, totalling £99 million - up 40%​
• USA totalled £97.2million – up 13.8%​
• Hong Kong bounced back to £11 million – up 27.8%​
• Malaysia up 115% to £10.3 million​
• Singapore strong at £8.9 million – up 1%​

The latest figures followed a busy year for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) International Trade Development team, which delivered a comprehensive programme of activity in 2025 to promote exports of British dairy.

Work included taking part in major international trade shows, with a strong presence at Anuga, the largest global food event, in Cologne in October.

In total, the AHDB International Trade Development team for the dairy sector, supported by its in-market overseas representatives, delivered 28 events from San Diego to Singapore in 2025, including seven retail promotions and eight marketing events, marking their busiest year to date.

The increase in export values is especially validating, with our enhanced on-the-ground presence in key target markets and wider programme of activity.

We look forward to continuing this momentum in 2026 with our largest ever presence at Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) in Singapore in April and driving demand for British dairy from parlours in the UK to plates overseas.

Exports are critical to the UK dairy industry by providing a long-term outlet for surplus production. They play a huge role in helping to strengthen demand, build price resilience and support long‑term profitability. Every extra tonne of cheese, yogurt or other dairy product sold overseas helps balance supply at home.

In addition to FHA in Singapore, 2026 will also see AHDB flying the flag for British red meat at the Annual Meat Conference (AMC), in Maryland, USA, and in Japan in March. The team will also support dairy exports businesses at SIAL Paris in October – this year’s largest trade show.

Consumer and market insight from our Market Intelligence team underpins AHDB’s international trade development work, helping us shape and deliver a programme of promotional activity on the ground to support our export businesses.

This will continue to play a key role as we look to build on the achievements of 2025.

• Further details about export opportunities for British red meat and dairy can be found in the AHDB analysis Prospects for UK agri-food exports
• AHDB in-depth trade analysis for 2025
• Check out the video highlighting what we did in 2025