DairyCo

UK Dairy Consumption

Published 18 April 12

Dairy Consumption - DEFRA Family Food Survey 2010

DEFRA Family Food Survey

• Liquid milk consumption has declined 3.8% between 2009 and 2010 and is now 16.7% lower than ten years ago.
• Yogurt and fromage frais consumption fell 0.2% in the last year, but has recorded a 26% increase over the last ten years.
• Butter consumption rose by 1.6% between 2009 and 2010 and is 7.1% higher than ten years ago.
• Cheese consumption has increased 1.7% over the past year and has recorded a 8.4% increase 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 2010 stands at 1,508mls per person per week, 3.8% lower than the previous year.

Further examination of the figures shows that consumption of whole milk fell 14.4% since 2009, while skimmed milk increased 3.9% year-on-year (YOY). Semi-skimmed recorded a decline of 0.7% YOY and is 1% lower than 10 years ago.

In other dairy products, yogurt and fromage frais consumption is fairly static compared to 2009 (-0.2%YOY) but remains 26% higher than 10 years ago. Elsewhere, consumption of cheese rose 1.7% to 118g per person per week in 2010. Within the cheese category, cheddar cheese saw consumption decline 1.6% between 2009 and 2010, while edam and other foreign hard cheese rose by 1%. Soft natural cheese recorded the largest percentage growth rising 16.1% YOY. Cottage cheese recorded a 12.3% growth in consumption since 2009, but the level is 23.5% lower than 10 years previously.

Butter consumption increased 1.6% YOY, with average consumption now at 40g per person per week. This level is also 7.1% higher than average consumption in 2000. Average cream consumption increased to 24g per person per week in 2010, this is 7% above levels seen ten years ago. Dairy desserts consumption fell 8.4% from 2009 and stands at 41g per person per week. Despite this decline the consumption level is 16.5% higher than ten years ago.

For further information on consumption statistics, please click here.

Source: DEFRA