EU Milk Prices Rose in August as Heatwaves Cut Output
Prices diverged across member states
Preliminary European Commission figures put the EU’s average raw-milk price at 42.22 euro cents per kilogram in August, a monthly increase of 0.40%. The figure was still 20.64% below the level recorded in August 2025. Extra-grade milk in Ukraine sold for 33.42 euro cents per kilogram during the same month.
Belgium registered the largest monthly increase, with its price reaching 42.50 euro cents per kilogram after a 12.34% rise. Prices also increased in Denmark, to 44.41 euro cents; the Netherlands, to 42.50 euro cents; Austria, to 45.50 euro cents; Bulgaria, to 41.58 euro cents; Greece, to 58.20 euro cents; Lithuania, to 35.45 euro cents; Romania, to 34.86 euro cents; and Finland, to 47.50 euro cents.
Purchasing prices were unchanged in Germany, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal and Sweden. They fell in nine countries, including France, where the price declined by 1.79% to 43.38 euro cents per kilogram. Hungary recorded a 1.28% reduction, to 34.80 euro cents, while Slovakia’s price decreased by 1.58%, to 36.11 euro cents.
Annual comparisons remained weaker
Cyprus had the highest raw-milk price in the EU in August, at 66.55 euro cents per kilogram, followed by Malta at 63.66 euro cents. Romania and Hungary had the lowest prices, at 34.86 and 34.80 euro cents respectively. On an annual basis, prices increased only in Greece and Cyprus, by 4.32% and 4.31%. They declined in the other 24 EU countries, with the largest falls in Hungary, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany, at 30.55%, 27.76%, 27.39%, 27.31% and 26.02% respectively.
Weather affected production and feed
Data from AHDB showed that heatwaves in late June and July reduced raw-milk production, particularly in France and Germany. French production was 7.5% below the previous year during some periods, while German output fell by about 3%. Dry weather also reduced the availability and quality of feed. IFCN reported slower grass and crop growth and weaker production of protein feeds, including rapeseed and sunflower. Some farmers brought forward the harvesting of crops and feed to limit drought-related losses.
Forecasts and market responses
Rabobank forecasts a 1.6% year-on-year decline in EU milk production during the fourth quarter of 2026. IFCN estimates that EU raw-milk futures could reach about US$49 per 100 kilograms by the end of the year. Higher feed prices could increase farmers’ costs, while choices between reducing feed use and buying additional feed could affect both yields and concentrate consumption.
Lower inventories of dairy products also supported prices. The FAO said reduced milk yields and lower milk-fat availability in August contributed to higher prices for skimmed milk, cheese and butter. Arla Foods raised its raw-milk purchasing price by almost €1 per 100 kilograms in September.
