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UK milk solids rise alongside raw milk volumes
Thursday, 4 September 2025
UK milk production volumes have been in year-on-year growth since September 2024, up by 5% in this milk year to date alone. Alongside this, the milk solids (butterfat and protein) components of milk have also increased.
Defra figures for UK milk composition show that the average butterfat and protein content of raw milk in the UK rose by 6% and 2%, respectively from the 2017/18 milk year to the 2024/2025 period, taking average butterfat to 4.30% and protein in UK milk to 3.41%.
Year-on year-change in UK milk production
Source: Defra, AHDB
During the 2022/23 and 2023/24 milk years, milk production saw a year-on-year decline, yet the combined percentage of butterfat and protein content showed an increase.
In the first 6 months of 2025, milk solids as a percentage of raw milk has shown strong performance, averaging 0.9% higher compared to the same period in 2024. As total milk volumes continue to soar, the total solid volume produced has been amplified.
A higher number of milk contracts now incentivise solids rather than volumes, encouraging producers to shift their focus. Increased consumer demand for dairy fats and proteins both globally and domestically has been an ongoing trend, as shown in the GB retail data.
Improved cow nutrition and genetics have contributed to higher milk solid production over the years. More recently, a favourable milk to feed price ratio has enabled producers to maximise herd performance.
Milk solid levels within EU milk composition have also generally been increasing in recent years, driven by similar market factors. In 2025, the EU short-term outlook project a 0.2% and 0.1% increase for milk fat and protein, respectively.
Globally, demand for butterfat and protein are likely to rise, potentially leading to greater opportunities for producers to maximise contracts.
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