Q2 2025 dairy trade review: exports in growth

Key trends

• Total UK dairy export volume for Q2 2025 increased 9.8% year-on-year at 370,400 tonnes fuelled by cheese, milk and cream, powders, whey and whey products
• Total UK dairy export value for Q2 2025 edged up 20.5% year-on-year at £588mn
• Exports of yoghurt and butter volumes fell
• Quarterly exports of milk and cream are at the highest level seen in last three years
• Quarterly exports of cheese and curd are at the highest level seen in last five years

Milk and cream, powders, whey and cheese scale up while others trade down

Total export volumes of dairy products from the UK for Q2 2025 are up year-on-year. The value of dairy exports has been growing for the last two years. Exports of dairy products to the EU increased by 21,100t and to non-EU nations increased by 12,000t.

This was largely driven by an increase in exports of milk and cream, which edged up 20,200t (9.4%), followed by increase in exports of powders and whey and whey products by 10,000t (31.1%) and 3,800t (26.5%) respectively. Exports of cheese and curd increased by 2,700t (5.4%) during the period. In terms of value, milk and cream led the basket (+26.2%) followed by cheese and curd (+12.2%) and powders (+28%).

Milk and cream saw the biggest quarterly increase up by 20,200t: mostly bound for EU nations (Ireland, Spain, Germany, France). Quarterly exports of cheese and curd recorded a five-year high at 52,300t, which saw a notable increase to non-EU nations in some MENA countries (Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudia Arabia), Asian nations including China, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Canada. In terms of value, cheese exports were worth £246mn. Exports of powders have also improved by 10,000t (31%) after a decline in 2024.  Value growth of powders was up by 28% at £72mn.

Exports of yoghurt and butter declined year-on-year, by 3,500t for yogurt (-25%) and a marginal decline of 80t for butter (-0.6%).

Europe

Looking at the overall export figures, the EU continued to constitute around 90% of total UK exports. Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Spain and Germany were the major recipients. In Q2 2025, exports to Ireland increased by 7% to 251,000t, the Netherlands increased by 16% to 28,600t and Italy increased by 69% to 5600t. Conversely, exports to Belgium declined by 42% to 8900t and Poland declined by 29% to 3,900t.

Imports drive up

Total import volumes increased by 11,800t (3.5%) at 349,400t in Q2 2025 compared to previous year. The increase was reported from EU nations (12,700t), who are our major providers. Major EU nations contributing to UK’s increase in imports are Greece (+6,600t), Ireland (+4600t), France (+1900t), Poland (+1800t), Austria (+900t) and Spain (+700t). Increase in imports was capped by decline from Germany and Netherlands. Imports declined from non-EU nations during the period by a marginal 900t. Imports from New Zealand, one of our major suppliers declined year-on-year after seeing a remarkable increase during the last one year. Cheese and curd imports declined by 4,700t at 1,700t in Q2 2025 year-on-year, which is one of the major constituents of the import basket. 

Imports of yoghurt saw the biggest increase of 7,300t (9.6%), followed by powders by 2,200t (10.4%). Cheese and curd and milk and cream imports nudged up by 1,700t (1.4%) and 400t (0.5%) respectively. The latest dairy retail data echoes increasing consumer demand for yoghurt, cheese and cream in the domestic market. Whey and whey products in the import basket, witnessed a marginal decline of 500t (-2.4%) during the period compared to year ago levels.

Road Ahead

With an overwhelming spring flush this season, increase in availability of dairy products is imminent. There lie ample opportunities for our exporters, to capitalise on the same. AHDB has been organising events globally throughout the year and participating in trade shows to promote British dairy. Exporters can focus on value added products like British speciality cheese and protein rich diet, which is gaining popularity among consumers in the recent times. Apart from EU, our major trading partner, aim should be diversifying into emerging markets like Asia, MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries.

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