In the UK the market for dairy products from cows confirms a now structural dynamic: volume pressure and price-driven value growth. The data NIQ show an overall contraction in volumes (-0,5% year-on-year) against a 6,1% increase in spending, a direct reflection of rising average price lists. In this context, key signals emerge for industry and retail: polarization of preferences (whole vs. skimmed), strengthening of higher value-added categories such as cheese and yogurt, and a continued central role of Christmas seasonality in supporting certain performances. This framework requires targeted choices regarding pricing, assortment, and category positioning.
In cow milk, the decline in volumes (-1,7%) reflects a progressive reduction in traditional references, in particular semi-skimmed and skimmed, while the whole milk continues to grow (+2,6%) thanks to a broadening customer base. This data suggests a polarization in demand: on the one hand, a return to products perceived as more "natural" and less processed; on the other, a diminishing appeal of standard functional variants, increasingly exposed to competition from plant-based or other animal-based alternatives, which are also growing in volume.
I cow's milk cheeses confirms itself as the most resilient category in structural terms. The +1,6% in volumes, accompanied by a +4% in spending, indicates a good capacity of the sector to transfer part of the cost tensions to the shelves without affecting the demand. The Cheddar, which alone accounts for almost 45% of volumes, grows moderately (+0,7%), while the most brilliant performances come from other cows' cheese (+11,3%) and from the segment snacking (+9,3%), increasingly relevant in terms of occasional and out-of-meal consumption.
Within the “others”, the of cottage cheese It emerges as a true growth driver: despite accounting for about a quarter of volumes, it contributes over 58% of the category's growth. This trend offsets the decline in specialty, continental, British regional, processed, and blue cheeses, and reinforces cottage cheese's positioning as a cross-section of health, convenience, and culinary versatility.
In cow's butter, the picture remains more complex. Overall volumes are decreasing (-0,6%), but spending is growing (+3,7%) thanks to the increase in average prices. block butter It is the only subcategory in expansion (+4,7%), supported by a consumer orientation towards products perceived as less ultra-processed. On the contrary, the spreads continue to lose ground (-3,2%), signaling a possible future review of shelf space and promotional strategies.
The sector is definitely positive yogurt, yogurt drink and fromage frais, which recorded a +5,9% in volumes and a +10,1% in spending. Here, pricing remains a factor, but growth is above all demand-driventhat standard plain yogurt marks the highest rate (+19,6%), while the low-fat yogurt It's the one with the largest absolute increase, with over 4,3 million additional kilos purchased. A clear sign of how health, simplicity, and value for money can coexist in the same category.
La cream finally benefits from the Christmas seasonality, closing the period with a slight increase in volumes (+0,3%) and a growth in value (+9%) almost entirely linked to the rise in average prices. The best performances come from clotted, aerosol, crème fraîche and double cream, while whipping cream, single cream and sour cream are declining, indicating a consumption increasingly linked to specific recipes and targeted moments of use.
Overall, the market of dairy cow enters 2026 with a fragile balance: value holds thanks to prices, but maintaining volumes depends on the ability to intercept new consumption opportunities and enhance categories with higher functional or premium content. For industry and distribution, the challenge will be defend the margins without further compressing demand, through a more selective mix of innovation, formats and pricing architecture.
