UK organic milk production down 15%

Production volumes were negatively impacted by high costs and the rising cost of organic feed.

These factors have prompted some farmers to reduce their livestock, experts in this field say. Some enterprises have returned to the traditional method of production, abandoning the organic one.

In July, the AHDB announced that demand for organic products had been limited this year as consumers continued to look to save money on food. Recent data suggests this trend is continuing, with demand for organic dairy products down more than 14% compared to the previous year.

AHDB dairy analyst Susie Stannard warned that organic milk production could take a long time to recover, possibly “months if not years”, as consumer confidence is currently in a fragile state. Susie Stannard said the big question for producers and processors is how long the current slump in demand will last.