UK Dairy Exports Soar Due to Strong European Demand

Strong demand from Europe led to a 20% increase in the UK's dairy exports in the first half of 2025, reaching a total value of £1.1 billion, as reported by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). UK exports to Ireland rose to £335 million, a 12.5% increase from the previous year. Shipments to the Netherlands grew by 15% to £130 million, while exports to France increased by 41% to £82 million, Spain by 40% to £35 million, and Germany by 25% to £32 million. Additionally, dairy exports to the US surged by 30% to £43 million. Exports to Asia and Oceania rose by 22% to £73 million. In the second quarter, UK dairy exports to Ireland grew 7% to 251,000 tons, with approximately 90% of total UK exports heading to the EU. The EU and non-EU markets showed considerable growth, with exports to the EU increasing by 21,100 tons, reaching a total volume of 370,400 tons, and exports to non-EU nations rising by 12,000 tons. Lucy Randolph, AHDB's head of international trade development for dairy, described the figures as "very encouraging".