Accredited official statistics

United Kingdom milk prices and composition of milk – statistics notice (data for October 2021)

Updated 24 February 2022

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/historical-statistics-notices-on-uk-milk-prices-and-composition-of-milk-2021/united-kingdom-milk-prices-and-composition-of-milk-statistics-notice-data-for-october-2021

1.1 Key messages

  • This release shows the latest information on average farm-gate milk prices, volumes and the butterfat and protein content of UK produced milk.

  • The UK average farm-gate milk price for October 2021 is 32.55 pence per litre (ppl). This represents a 3.1% (0.98 ppl) increase on September 2021 and a 8.5% increase on the same month last year. (Figure 1.2).

  • Butterfat is up 3.6% on last month at 4.32%. Compared to last year butterfat is 0.8% higher than October 2020. (Figures 1.3a).

  • Protein is up 1.6% on last month at 3.41%. Compared to last year protein is 1.0% lower than October 2020. (Figures 1.3b).

  • October volumes are 1,198 million litres up 3.8% on September 2021 and 0.5% lower than October 2020. (Figure 1.4).

1.2 United Kingdom farm-gate milk price (pence per litre)

b. Protein %

1.3 Average butterfat and protein content of United Kingdom produced milk

1.3a. Butterfat %

United Kingdom wholesale milk production (million litres)

1.3b. Protein %

Percentage change in key items: Oct 20 compared to Oct 21

1.4 United Kingdom wholesale milk production (million litres)

United Kingdom farm-gate milk price (pence per litre)

1.5 Percentage change in key items: October 2021 compared to October 2020

a. Butterfat %

Figures 1.2 to 1.4 above show the values for the latest 12 months along with the maximum and minimum monthly values. There is a strong positive correlation between milk composition (butterfat and protein content) and milk price.

1.7 Retrospective payments

Some companies make retrospective bonus payments. We do not reflect these payments in the monthly milk price figures. The annual average price for farm-gate milk in 2019, including retrospective payments, is 29.10 ppl, 0.23 ppl more than the annual average price without retrospective payments (28.87 ppl). In 2019 total retrospective payments were 2.0% lower than 2018 at £34.7 million.

A retrospective payment is when a company makes a payment to a farmer that is outside the normal contract price they receive and is generally paid on prior production, for example profit sharing.

1.8 Revisions and estimates

UK volume data for September has changed to 1,155 million litres.

England and Wales survey response in September was 89%.

1.9 National Statistics status

National Statistics status means that our statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value, and it is our responsibility to maintain compliance with these standards. The statistics last underwent a full assessment Assessment Report 271 Statistics on Agriculture against the Code of Practice for Statistics in 2014 Since the latest review by the Office for Statistics Regulation, we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics and have enhanced data quality by reviewing methodologies and data sources. The next update of this monthly notice is at 09:30 on 20th January 2022.

Enquiries to: Julie Rumsey, Tel: +44 (0) 208 026 6306

email: [email protected]

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