AHDB figures indicate that dairy producers are leaving the industry at a worrying rate, with just 6,850 left in Great Britain as of April 2026.
The AHDB’s estimates also show that there were close to 200 fewer dairy producers operating in the UK compared to this time last year.
Alarmingly, this would suggest that there has been a 15% drop in the total number of British dairy enterprises over the last five years.
The overall dairy herd has also seen numbers fall, with the British Cattle Movement Service estimating the total GB milking herd at 1.59 million in April – a 2% year-on-year drop.
“Farmer sentiment is largely negative with squeezes on both milk prices and costs of production, with now a falling beef price putting dairy farm businesses under increasing pressure,” said AHDB senior analyst (dairy) Soumya Behera.
“Milk prices have stabilised in the last two months, but will need to improve further to increase farmer confidence in the sector. Hopes for this are dependent on markets which remain uncertain.”
Various factors have been cited by the AHDB as contributing to the decline, including squeezes on both milk prices and costs of production, as well as a falling beef price putting dairy farm businesses under increasing pressure.
Favourable dairy economics during the summer months have helped to stem a further exodus of producers, with the majority departing during the winter months following a decline in milk prices, forage shortages for some, and increasing input costs.