UK exports of dairy products* had a mixed month-on-month performance in May, with butter and whey down on April (by 14% and 9% respectively) but the cheese, powdered/condensed milk and yogurt categories all up (by 13%, 34% and 26% respectively). However, May 2021 exports were still down on their 2020 counterpart for all categories except milk and cream.

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May imports were similarly still down year-on-year, but with a mixed month-on-month performance. The categories down compared with April were milk and cream (-3%), powdered/condensed milk (-4%) and yogurt & fermented dairy (-7%). The categories up on the month were whey products (+14%), butter products (+38%), and cheese and curd (+17%).

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As a final note, last month we identified that the UK had achieved a small trade surplus with the EU for Cheddar, for the first time. This surplus has been maintained into May. 

*HS codes 0401-0406. Includes milk crossing the Irish border for processing.