UK farmgate milk prices tracking below EU average

Thursday, 24 October 2019

By Felicity Rusk

So far this year, UK milk prices have tracked around £0.20 per kg of solids below the average of the main milk producing countries in the EU.

Market prices in the EU and the UK tend to follow the same trends. The wider EU tends to be more active in global markets, leaving their farm prices more exposed to global market movements. In contrast, with a large reliance on the domestic liquid milk market, UK prices, on average, tend to be much slower to respond to global trends.

 

When compared to other key milk producing EU nations, UK milk prices tend to lag behind due to lower milk solids. However, historically when we compare prices in £’s per kg of solids*, the UK has been competitive. This has not been the case since the start of 2017 when UK prices did not rise to the same extent as some other EU nations. Since then, the UK has continued to track below the other countries although the gap has closed slightly since the beginning of this year. 

 * Using average EU farmgate milk prices, as provided by DG Agri, we can re-base the figures to show them on a £ per kg of solids basis.

 


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. 

×