August 2026 Updates Spot Milk and Bulk Cream

 

 

With planned maintenance shutdown season for some cheesemakers just around the corner, spot milk prices have in the last week broken out at the top end of our previous range of 48ppl. The volume traded at prices of 51ppl to 52ppl delivered have been limited, with the bulk of volume reported to have traded between 44ppl and 47ppl delivered. The low end of our range holds on 43ppl delivered, some sellers in the north not seeing the premium end of our price range at the moment, again the higher prices being achieved in the more drought stricken south of the country. 

 

 

Prices for fresh bulk cream (25tBSC) have nudged up with some reporting trades as high as £1.75kg ex works by one seller. Prices in general are reported to be achieving the mid-point to just above the high end of our range last week. Prices on the continent are also reported to have firmed to around £1.64kg ex works equivalent. Butter prices have held similar the previous week in what is described as still a relatively quiet market. SMP prices that are holding firm at last week’s levels with signs that prices migh improve soon as demand for product both in the UK and in the EU is on the increase. 

 

 

 

 

Despite a fairly quiet spot market for milk by all accounts and with the planned maintenance season for manufacturers just around the corner from coming into full swing, prices have pulled up the low end of our range. With there being no actual valid reports of any prices paid above 48ppl delivered, the upper end of our range holds unchanged resulting in our overall range narrowing by 3ppl. 

 

 

Prices for 25tBSC have firmed in the last week which has pulled the low end of our range out of the £1.50’s per kg. The top end of our range lifts to £1.72kg ex works although, the volumes traded at this level will be modest with most trades reported to be in between £1.61kg to £1.65kg ex works. Domestic prices on the continent are reported to have risen again to around £1.61kg ex our equivalent however, shipping, certification and associated costs with exports still make our domestic cream market a better return. The strengthening cream price has helped to lift butter prices with unsalted bulk reported to be lifting to around £3,550/t with salted increasing but remaining discounted at circa £3,375/t partly due to greater stock availability. SMP prices have continued to strengthen to circa £2,540/t as both end user and trader demand holds firm while at the same time manufacturers are holding back volume in anticipation of prices moving higher. 

 

 

 

 

Spot milk prices are holding firm to improving within our range last week although, not by enough at the moment to breakout at the top end. Those having to sell are reporting prices in the 38/40ppl region that said, we understand the volumes traded at this level will be low. Our intel has also picked up that some traders are now having to more go out in search of milk. Price levels generally are more put around as trading in the mid 40’s. We leave the range unchanged from the previous week. 

 

 

From a domestic perspective 25tBSC prices are relatively unchanged from the previous week although, our premium sellers report a little firming in what they describe as a tough trading environment. Probably while the butter market remains subdued and the returns from trading cream remain higher that of butter this will likely remain the case, especially through the holiday period. The flip side being the butter won’t be manufactured and therefore not adding to stocks. A wide range of cream prices are being reported from £1.55kg to £1.65kg ex works although we’d put the middle marker around the £1.60kg ex level. As for domestic prices on the continent, particularly in Ireland and Germany they are reported to have risen sharply this week to circa £1.54kg ex works equivalent. Bulk butter prices are relatively unchanged at circa £3,475/t for unsalted while salted is a little weaker at £3,300/t compared £3,325/t we reported a fortnight ago. The market for SMP is stronger this week (picked up in the futures and our UKMFE this weekend) with prices moving up from £2,360/t the last time we reported to £2,395/t as both traders and end users are reported as looking to secure prompt volumes. 

 

 

 

 

It’s quiet, time of year with many on their hols. No reports of any factory issues either which will have helped to hold spot milk prices steady to positive from the previous week. Most price reports coming in at the mid 40ppl range. With no prices reported in the 30ppl range from anyone having to sell, the bottom end of the range lifts to 40ppl delivered this week. 

 

 

There has been a definite weakening in prices for 25tBSC in the last week, with our premier sellers reporting to have struggled to make the same price level as the week previous, which doesn’t bode well for prices in the coming week either. Overall price levels appear to be gravitating back towards the cream value from butter returns, with the level put in the mid £1.50’s kg ex works range. Glabal fat prices having also weakend in the last week willl not have helped matters either. Meanwhile there remains little scope from any kind of premium linked to exports to continental Europe with their domestic cream prices still considerably lower than our domestic levels.