The Agriculture and Horticulture Growth Board (AHDB) has stated that farmgate milk costs are set to alter route after a yr of record-breaking value will increase.

Lead dairy analyst at AHDB, Patty Clayton, stated that, with one exception, modifications to exploit costs for the start of 2023 have all been downwards, and are the primary reductions in virtually two years.

Clayton defined that the will increase in milk costs in 2022 have been pushed by way of “sooner than below regular circumstances, triggered by the unprecedented rise in farm enter prices and the specter of milk shortages”.

“The upper costs, together with the extra widespread enhance in the price of dwelling, meant demand for milk and dairy merchandise diminished by way of the latter a part of the yr, and the dairy product costs began to ease,” she stated.

“On the similar time, milk manufacturing within the northern hemisphere has picked up.

“This was primarily right down to improved farm margins on the again of elevated milk costs, though the beneficial climate situations within the UK and EU by way of the autumn additionally lent a hand.

“We are actually seeing these decrease market returns circulation by way of into milk value reductions. Assuming the everyday lag of three/4 months, milk costs are projected to see additional cuts as we transfer into the spring.”

Uncertainty in 2023

Picture: AHDB

Clayton stated the extent of the worth cuts within the second quarter of 2023 stays unsure, because the diploma that commodity costs, and market returns, drop will depend upon the power of the northern hemisphere flush relative to demand.

“The overall consensus from most analysts is that international milk provides will see a modest enhance year-on-year progress, though partially this is because of low volumes final yr,” she stated.

“Balanced in opposition to that is the potential for some enchancment in demand from China, though its unclear how rapidly this can happen following the reopening of its economic system.”