Data from the AHDB Dairy Retail Dashboard, using NIQ Homescan data, showed in the 12 weeks to 3 October 2026, growth in cow dairy was driven by cheese, yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and cream. These gains helped offset volume declines in milk.
The data showed cow dairy volumes increased by 0.6% year-on-year, while spend rose by 1.4% as average prices paid per kilo increased by 0.8%.
Milk volumes, however, declined by 0.4% year-on-year. Despite this spend increased by 1.1%, driven by a 1.6% increase in average price per litre. Semi-skimmed (−2.2%) and skimmed milk (−2.8%) saw declines while whole milk continued to outperform the category, with volumes increasing by 3.1%.
There was growth in “other dairy” categories which performed strongly, increasing by 79.7%. AHDB said this growth may reflect consumer interest in more natural and less processed products
Meanwhile, plant-based milk volumes remained broadly stable (+0.2%), while spend increased by % due to higher average prices.
Cow cheese remained in volume growth, increasing by 1.8% year-on-year while spend declined by −0.7%.
Volume growth was led by “other” cow cheese (+10.2%), supported by strong sales of cottage cheese and soft white cheese, followed by snacking (+4.1%) and speciality and continental (+3.5%).
All these cheese categories saw increases in purchasing frequency which offset declines in cheddar (−1.7%), British regionals (−3.0%), processed (−1.1%) and stilton and British blue (−12.7%).
Butter volumes also declined, falling by 2.5% year-on-year, with spend decreasing by 6.9% as average prices paid by kilo fell by 4.6%.
Block butter remained the strongest-performing butter segment, with volumes increasing by 3.7% but there was a decline in butter spreads (5.6%) primarily due to fewer buyers, resulting in an overall category decline, it said.
Volumes of cow’s yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and fromage frais increased by 7.2% year-on-year, while spend rose by 9.7%. Average prices paid increased by 2.4%.
Growth was driven by increased volumes purchased across several yoghurt subcategories. Standard plain yoghurt (+18.0%), healthy yoghurt (+16.8%) and fat-free yoghurt (+10.2%) were among the strongest performers. Yoghurt drinks also remained in growth (+6.4%), reflecting continued demand for convenient products, AHDB said.
Some subcategories, however, remained in decline, including kids (−3.9%), standard flavoured (−2.2%), split pot (−1.6%) and fromage fraise (−4.0%). AHDB
According to Lucy Rabjohn, Retail and Consumer Insight Analyst, changing consumer health trends and a push for less ultra processed foods could be contributing to these trends.
Cream volumes grew by 0.3% year-on-year. Spend increased by 0.5%, while average prices paid rose by 0.2%.
Performance was mixed across the category. Double cream (+2.2%), whipping cream (+9.6%) and sour cream (+0.9%) remained in growth due to an increase in volume per trip, while declines were seen for single cream (−3.5%), crème fraiche, clotted cream (both −7.2%) and aerosol (−1.8%).
