Milk sales up 1% on last year

Retail sales of liquid milk increased by 1.1% in the year to 10 June, representing an additional 53.6m litres, according to analyst Kantar WorldPanel.

However, a 1% drop in the average retail price meant value sales remained fairly static at £3.3bn. “Volume sales growth slowed in the past 12 weeks to +0.3% and in the past four-week period volume sales declined 1.2%,” said a report by DairyCo.

Purchase frequency increased by 1.5%, year on year, with volumes for each trip dropping as shoppers tried to manage expenditure and reduce food wastage through a little and often approach, it added.

Pasteurised milk remained the largest segment within the liquid milk market, with a share of 85%. “UHT milk and sterilised milk continue to record volume and value declines.” Organic and Channel Island milk sales fell by 6.4% and 0.2% respectively. Doorstep sales dropped by 6% over the year, to account for 4% of the total market.

Overall retail prices averaged 62p/litre, 1p down on the previous year, driven by a weaker pasteurised milk value. “All other milk types recorded average price rises over the past 52 weeks.”

Market report