The increase in milk prices through 2022 helped to offset the rising costs and supported improved yields in the final months of the year. Margin pressures then worsened as global energy prices spiked, with the situation exacerbated by the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. An unfavourable milk-to-feed-price ratio, driven by rising feed costs and stagnant farmgate prices, was the key driver of lower yields in the autumn of 2021, although labour shortages will also have played a role. In the four months from October to January, deliveries were 3% ahead of year earlier levels when production had been subdued by rising costs and concern over margins.īefore this, GB production had been running below year-ago figures since July 2021, although the year on year growth recorded in March through June was more to do with the sharp enforced reductions in the spring of 2020. This is a 0.3% improvement on 2022, equivalent to an additional 39m litres.ĭeliveries since October have been above previously expected levels, boosted by the favourable weather conditions, and high milk prices. On a calendar year basis, GB production is expected to total 12.43bn litres.

GB milk production is forecast to reach 12.44bn litres for the 2022/23 season, up 0.7% on the previous season, according to the December forecast update.

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