May 2026 Updates Spot Milk and Bulk Cream Market

 

 

25tBSC prices have continued to increase whereby the best prices this week here in GB have reached as high as £1.42kg ex works. The low end of our range also stepping up from £1.25kg to £1.33kg ex works. The bulk of reports coming back in the £1.38 to £1.40kg ex range. Exports achieving £1.30kg to £1.37kg ex equivalent as EU domestic cream prices equate to returns of around £1.50 to £1.55kg ex works. Butter price holding around £3,350/t to £3,375/t which still maintains a better return for the cream equivalent (circa £1.50kg ex). Prices for SMP have weakened a little down to around £2,470/t. 

 

 

With fewer breakdowns reported, spot milk prices have picked up a little at the low end of last week’s range. There doesn’t feel to be the same levels of distressed milk as with the previous week. Cheesemakers being offered milk to buy the deal range is 18ppl to 20ppl. However, we have had reports of 16ppl which holds the low end of our range down for another week. Those out actively seeking milk and the market knows they need it, the price range for now is still running between 22ppl up to 25ppl delivered. 

 

 

 

 

In general prices for 25tBSC have moved up where £1.25kg ex works is still propping up the low similar to the previous week but, stronger UK and EU demand and tighter availability has pushed our main trading range up into £1.30kg to £1.34kg ex works, while top end prices have hit £1.36kg ex works. Export to the EU is returning circa £1.25kg to 1.30kg ex works equivalent. Bulk butter prices have firmed and now trading around £3,350/t putting the cream equivalent at a higher return towards £1.45kg. SMP price continues to hold firm with prices quoted around £2,500/t mark. 

 

 

Unfortunately, breakdowns have reared their head in the last week, (possibly the strains of spring milk production starting to open cracks) which has brought prices under pressure for those unfortunate to be landed with surpluses as a result. Would be buyers and the markets combined are still not having a huge amount of positive scope on prices. Lowest prices quoted this week is 15ppl delivered for milk that has nearly had to travel half the length of the country to find the home. Prices for milk not having to be bought and therefore, more likely offered by cheesemakers with capacity, prices are more generally reported to be more in the 16ppl to 19ppl delivered range. Those in the market to buy, this range jumps to 22ppl to 25ppl delivered. 

 

 

 

 

Prices for 25tBSC have stepped up whereby no prices reports in the last week have come in under £1.25kg ex works, this being the high end of our range the previous week. The bulk of reports have fed in around the £1.28 to £1.30kg ex works, with our top sellers being able to find a couple pence more. Domestic cream prices on the continent have remained stable around the previous week’s level of £1.40kg ex. Given that we are still in May there is certainly feels more positive sentiment within seller circles. 

 

 

The same can be said for spot milk as despite a major breakdown in the north (which saw some producers having to pull bulk tank bungs for a few days) prices have moved up quite significantly on the previous week. The low end of our range is now starting to reflect sales covering the weekend rather than mid-week, a sign that the country is moving past peak with overall milk volumes coming off farm now under more control from the various balancing schemes. A few pence have also been added to the top end of our range as the balance between weak sellers of surplus milk versus needy buyers of top up requirement starts to move a little towards a more balanced position. With a fair wind it may not be long now before our top of the range prices start to challenge some lower ex farmgate milk prices (liquid standard). 

 

 

 

 

Prices for 25tBSC have picked up slightly this week with at least 5pkg being added to the bottom of last week’s range therefore, starting at £1.10kg ex works. Likewise, a few pence being added at the top end taking the best reported prices up to £1.25kg ex works. The bulk of reports have been coming in between £1.14kg and £1.19kg ex works so overall on volume trades the market is moving in a positive direction, which is good news for early May. Cream prices on the continent are reported to have moved up sharply this week, to as high as £1.40kg delivered putting ex work returns back within our shores on a similar level to our domestic mid-range price, with reports circa 1.05kg to £1.10kg ex works. Prices for butter and SMP are very similar to last week with still good demand for the latter. 

 

 

It’s more positive news overall on the spot milk front as well, with most factories understood to be running well with little hiccups and therefore, the market is not seeing the same levels of distressed milk as that of a month ago. That said, some lower prices have crept in to drag the low end of our price range down to 11ppl. At the same time no reports have been able to surpass last week’s top end of 22ppl delivered. However, within the overall range the main trading range has definitely lifted to 16ppl to 19ppl. 

 

 

 

 

Another relatively quiet week has seen our price range for 25tBSC hold unchanged from the previous week running at £1.05kg up to £1.22kg ex works, while admittedly the loads sold at the top end of the range have been few and far between. The main range reported is more in the region of £1.07kg to £1.15kg ex works. Export returns are even more unattractive at the moment, with many reporting to be only being offered 95p to 98p kg ex works equivalent possibly £1.05kg at best. Bulk butter prices continue to weaken with prices now reported to be closer to £3,200/t while SMP prices continue their ascent with prices moving up into the £2,450/t to £2,500/t range. 

 

 

As we pass through the mid flush window (the lack of rain in some parts of the country reported to be starting to slow grass growth) milk processors still seem to be coping well with no reports of breakdowns however, for those producers on farm having to curb their milk supply or dump milk/money into slurry pits, they will no doubt have a different perspective on things. However, the result of more overall control on milk supply is that spot milk has seen a little demand, which has lifted the lower end of our price range b y a penny on the previous week. The lowest price reported this week is 15ppl delivered with those having to buy a load still paying up to 7ppl more delivered. The bulk of what is being traded is put in the 16ppl to 18ppl delivered range. If breakdowns can continue to be avoided, prices should hold or even firm a little again over the next couple of weeks, especially if Mother Nature delivers no decent level of rain to what will be an ever increasing area requiring said percipitaion especially in the south of the country.