Overview of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)

Company Name: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)

Location: The headquarters of AHDB are located in Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, UK. The organization operates a network of facilities and research farms across the country.

Financial Indicators

As a levy-funded entity, AHDB generates approximately £60 million annually. These funds are sourced from farmers, growers, and other supply chain participants and are reinvested into initiatives such as research, market development, and knowledge transfer.

Significant Events

In 2024, AHDB reported a notable increase in the sales of organic cow's milk, with a 4% rise in the 12 weeks leading up to May 18, 2024, followed by an additional 5% growth in the next 12 weeks. This trend highlights a consumer shift towards organic products. Additionally, the GB Dairy Calf Strategy, launched in 2020 in collaboration with the National Farmers' Union (NFU), focuses on improving dairy calf welfare and management across the UK.

In the first half of 2025, AHDB reported a significant 20% increase in the UK's dairy exports, demonstrating the growing demand and competitiveness of British dairy products abroad.

Company Plans

Moving forward, AHDB is committed to supporting the dairy sector through sustainability initiatives, productivity enhancements, and market adaptation strategies. The board is actively involved in the new steering group for the Dairy Roadmap, which guides its strategic direction. Furthermore, AHDB emphasizes the importance of the EU as a market for UK dairy exports, providing guidance on maintaining competitiveness for British producers.

Data from AHDB for April 2024 to March 2025 indicates a 1% increase in beef semen use, now at 53%. The British Blue (42%) and Aberdeen Angus (38%) are the most favored among beef breeds for dairy farmers. AHDB supports these developments with tools like genomic evaluations and the Herd Genetic Report to aid farmers in identifying top-performing females.

A recent analysis conducted by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) dispels fears of US dairy products flooding the UK. The AHDB's analysis considered three scenarios for US dairy imports with tariff reductions of 25%, 50%, and 100%. In all scenarios, the effect on the UK market was minimal, as any increase in US dairy imports would correspond with a reduction in EU imports.

Modified: 2025/09/22