Search our website enhanced by Google.
Wales and Scotland lift GB milk production
Wednesday, 5 May 2021
By Chris Gooderham
According to our latest estimates, GB milk production reached 12.5 bn litres in 2020/21. That is slightly down on the year before, mainly because of the curbing of milk volumes in the spring due to coronavirus. In general, over the last three years, GB milk volumes are showing a gradual increase, and our latest forecast expects this to continue.
A country breakdown of milk production is no longer available in the way it was prior to milk quotas being removed. However, we are able to estimate volumes based on the number of dairy cows in each country, and historic average yields.
The latest estimate suggests that the rise in milk production in GB has been driven by increased volumes out of Wales and Scotland. Over the last three years (between 2017/18 and 2020/21) GB volumes have increased by 139m litres (up 1.1%). Of this, Wales increased 79m litres (up 4.1%), Scotland rose 41m litres (up 2.8%) and England lifted only 19m litres (up just 0.2%).
This trend mirrors what we’ve seen over the longer term. Ten years ago, Wales and Scotland accounted for 13% and 11% of overall GB milk production respectively. Last year those numbers had risen to 18% and 13%.
Over the coming weeks we will look at how processing in each country has developed over the last year, and what that means for the latest country milk balances.
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.