UK milk, cheese and dairy ingredients hit £1.1bn in overseas sales as Europe and non-EU markets expand.
British dairy exports surged sharply in 2025, with the first half of the year delivering a marked uptick in overseas sales. According to Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) data, UK dairy shipments reached around £1.1 billion in value, up roughly 20% year-on-year, reflecting resilient global appetite for British milk powders, cheeses, butter and specialist dairy ingredients. The growth underscores rebound momentum in international markets following pandemic and trade headwinds.
Europe remained the cornerstone market for British dairy, accounting for the bulk of export value. Strong intra-EU demand drove milk and dairy product sales to key partners: exports to France jumped about 41 % to £82 million, shipments to Spain rose around 40 % to £35 million, and deliveries to Germany climbed approximately 25 % to £32 million, with the Netherlands also recording notable growth. Robust performance in these continental markets highlights British dairy’s competitive positioning in proximity trade flows.
Non-EU markets are also driving British dairy expansion. Exports to the United States grew about 30 % to £43 million, while shipments to Asia and Oceania climbed roughly 22 % to £73 million, and trade with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rose around 28 % to £46 million. These broad market gains reflect the impact of sustained international promotional activity and engagement by industry representatives supporting exports in diverse regions.
The surge in global dairy demand has been supported by a concerted export effort from AHDB and UK dairy stakeholders. The AHDB International Trade Development team clocked over 130,000 km of global travel in the first half of 2025, backing 36 British dairy companies at 14 major overseas trade events and coordinating in-store promotions and dairy education programmes to elevate British dairy visibility and buyer engagement worldwide.
For UK producers and exporters, this export momentum not only boosts farmgate revenues but also highlights shifting trade opportunities as British dairy seeks to balance strong European demand with rising interest in growth markets across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Continued emphasis on quality, provenance and strategic international engagement will be pivotal as exporters target deeper penetration and new long-term partnerships in 2026 and beyond.
Source: Southwest Farmer style reporting via British dairy export figures — https://www.southwestfarmer.co.uk/news/25689297.british-dairy-exports-surge-global-demand/ (based on AHDB and industry data)
You can now read the most important #news on #eDairyNews #Whatsapp channels!!!
🇺🇸 eDairy News INGLÊS: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKsjzGDTkJyIN6hcP1K
