UK Dairy Exports Reach New Heights in 2025
Sourse: dairynews.today
European demand boosts UK dairy exports to a record £1.1 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a significant 20% increase compared to the previous year.
Booming European demand has pushed UK dairy exports to a record £1.1 billion in the first half of 2025 – a 20 percent jump on last year. Shipments to the Netherlands increased by 15% to £130m, while France recorded a 41% surge to £82m. Exports to Spain climbed 40% to £35m, and Germany saw a 25% rise to £32m. Beyond Europe, the US, Asia and the Middle East also delivered strong results. Exports to the US rose by 30% to £43 million, while shipments to Asia and Oceania grew 22% to £73m.
Trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries was up 28%, reaching £46 million, according to the figures. This surge follows an intense period of international activity by the AHDB International Trade Development Team for Dairy. In the first half of 2025, the team covered more than 130,000 km, supporting 36 UK companies across 14 global events. Backed by representatives on the ground in the US, Middle East, and Asia, the industry worked with the government to raise the profile of British dairy from San Francisco to Singapore. Efforts included trade shows, in-store promotions, and dairy education events. Lucy Randolph, AHDB’s head of international trade development, said the team had been working tirelessly to champion British dairy across global markets. “We’ve invested more in delivering a new and enhanced comprehensive programme of activity this year, working in partnership with government and industry, and it is paying real dividends for the sector.”
According to Ms Randolph, the dairy industry has also reaped significant benefits from AHDB’s overseas representatives, including in the US, Asia, and the Middle East. She emphasized that their international activity, combined with insights from the Market Intelligence team, provided exporters with critical knowledge and practical support. "Our work in the first half of 2025 has helped deliver tangible benefits for our levy payers, underlined by the six-month export figures," she said. They plan to build on this momentum in the second half of the year, aiming to showcase British dairy on the global stage. Meanwhile, UK red meat exports surged to £966 million in the first six months of 2025, almost 10% higher than last year, according to the latest HMRC figures.
Trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries was up 28%, reaching £46 million, according to the figures. This surge follows an intense period of international activity by the AHDB International Trade Development Team for Dairy. In the first half of 2025, the team covered more than 130,000 km, supporting 36 UK companies across 14 global events. Backed by representatives on the ground in the US, Middle East, and Asia, the industry worked with the government to raise the profile of British dairy from San Francisco to Singapore. Efforts included trade shows, in-store promotions, and dairy education events. Lucy Randolph, AHDB’s head of international trade development, said the team had been working tirelessly to champion British dairy across global markets. “We’ve invested more in delivering a new and enhanced comprehensive programme of activity this year, working in partnership with government and industry, and it is paying real dividends for the sector.”
According to Ms Randolph, the dairy industry has also reaped significant benefits from AHDB’s overseas representatives, including in the US, Asia, and the Middle East. She emphasized that their international activity, combined with insights from the Market Intelligence team, provided exporters with critical knowledge and practical support. "Our work in the first half of 2025 has helped deliver tangible benefits for our levy payers, underlined by the six-month export figures," she said. They plan to build on this momentum in the second half of the year, aiming to showcase British dairy on the global stage. Meanwhile, UK red meat exports surged to £966 million in the first six months of 2025, almost 10% higher than last year, according to the latest HMRC figures.
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Rethinking Global Milk Production Figures: A Critical Perspective
In the recent article “The Dairy Map of the World 2025: Who Feeds the Planet?”, it was noted that global milk production reached around 950 million tons in 2024, with India and Pakistan driving much of the 3% growth in Asia. At the same time, global dairy trade remains uneven: while some countries expand their export positions, others remain focused on domestic consumption.
