Dairy Sector in Great Britain Sees Continued Decline in Producer Numbers
According to the latest survey by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the number of dairy producers in Great Britain decreased to 6,850 as of April 2026. This marks a 2.3% decline since the previous survey conducted in October 2025, and a 2.7% decrease year-on-year from April 2025.
The decline in producer numbers primarily occurred during the winter months when dairy margins faced significant pressure. Despite this, the average milk volume produced per farm increased by 7.6%, reaching an estimated 1.90 million litres from April 2025 to April 2026.
While there has been some stabilization in milk prices over the past two months, the sector continues to face challenges. The British Cattle Movement Service recorded a milking herd of 1.59 million head in April 2026, a record low, representing a 2.0% decrease from the previous year.
The overall dairy herd in Great Britain also declined by 2.0% year-on-year, standing at 2.46 million head. Despite a recent decline in milk deliveries by 0.9% in May year-on-year, the market still holds a substantial milk volume.
Economic conditions during the summer had initially eased the exit rate of farmers from the industry. However, factors such as falling milk prices, forage shortages, and rising input costs contributed to the acceleration of exits during the winter months.
Favourable cull cow prices, which remain above the five-year average, have also incentivized some producers to leave the industry. Inflationary pressures on key input costs continue to pose challenges for dairy farmers.
The AHDB is expected to release an updated quarterly milk production forecast later this month. Tracking the precise number of dairy producers remains challenging due to varied reporting methods by different bodies. The AHDB's estimates are based on active participants in their Daily Milk Deliveries survey, which covers approximately 84% of the milk volume in Great Britain.
