DairyCo

UK Dairy Consumption

Published 18 January 11

Dairy Consumption

• Liquid milk consumption has risen 0.8% between 2008 and 2009 and is now 11.2% lower than ten years ago.
• Yogurt and fromage frais consumption has risen by 0.6% in the last year and by 36.4% over the last ten years.
• Butter consumption fell by 3.6% between 2008 and 2009, but has increased by 11.5% over the past ten years.
• Cheese consumption rose between 2008 and 2009 by 4.9%, and by 12.9% over the past ten years.

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 2009 stands at 1,568mls per person per week, 0.8% higher than 2008 according to the data.

Further examination of the figures shows that consumption of whole milk rose by 0.3%, while semi-skimmed milk consumption increased 0.4% year on year. Skimmed milk saw the largest percentage rise in consumption between 2008 and 2009 of 4.3%.

In other dairy products, yogurt and fromage frais consumption rose 0.6% between 2008 and 2009, and consumption levels are now 36.4% above those seen ten years ago. Elsewhere, consumption of cheese rose 4.9% to 116g per person per week in 2009. Within the cheese category, cheddar cheese saw consumption rise 8.8% between 2008 and 2009, while edam and other foreign hard cheese rose by 16.6%. Cottage cheese and processed cheese saw falls in consumption of -5.9% and -7.8% respectively. 

Butter consumption has fallen, with average consumption now at 39g per person per week, a fall of 3.6% from 2008 but 11.5% higher than average consumption in 1999. Average cream consumption increased to 23g per person per week between 2008 and 2009, and 14.5% above levels seen ten years ago. Dairy desserts consumption has increased 10.6% between 2008 and 2009 to 44g per person per week, and by 30.9% over the last ten years.

For further information on consumption statistics, please click here.

Source: DEFRA