DairyCo

UK Dairy Consumption

Published 15 January 10

Dairy Consumption

• Liquid milk consumption has fallen 1.3% between 2007 and 2008 and is now 14.2% lower than ten years ago.
• Yogurt and fromage frais consumption has risen by 3.1% in the last year and by 41.3% over the last ten years.
• Butter consumption fell slightly between 2007 and 2008, but has increased by 11.1% over the past ten years.
• Cheese consumption fell between 2007 and 2008 by 6.7%.

Defra's Family Food Survey has released the latest data on consumption of food products in the UK. Defra is now producing data for the calendar year rather than for the milk year, which has been the case between 2003 and 2006. Average liquid milk consumption for 2008 stands at 1,555mls per person per week - 1.3% lower than in 2007, according to the data.

Further examination of the figures shows that consumption of whole milk fell by 2.4%, while semi-skimmed milk consumption increased 0.5%. Skimmed milk saw the largest percentage fall in consumption between 2007 and 2008 of 8.7%.

In other dairy products, yogurt and fromage frais consumption rose 3.1% between 2007 and 2008, and consumption levels are now 41.3% above those seen ten years ago. Elsewhere, consumption of cheese fell 6.7% to 111g per person per week in 2008. Within the cheese category, cheddar cheese saw consumption fall 7.5% between 2007 and 2008, while edam and other foreign hard cheese fell by 12.5% and cottage cheese saw the largest percentage fall of 20.0%.

Butter consumption has fallen, with average consumption now at 40g per person per week, a fall of 2.4% from 2007 but 11.1% higher than average consumption in 1998. Average cream consumption has remained at 21g per person per week between 2007 and 2008, and is at the same level as ten years ago. Dairy desserts consumption has also remained the same as 2007 at 40g per person per week, although consumption of dairy desserts has increased by 29.0% over the last ten years.

For further information on consumption statistics, please click here.

Source: DEFRA