UK dairy farmers face losses as milk prices drop 40 percent
A global milk surplus has driven prices down by 40 percent since October, leaving many UK producers unable to cover costs. Experts warn more farms may close.
The dairy industry in the United Kingdom is facing a significant financial crisis as a global oversupply of milk drives prices well below production costs. Kelly Seaton and Ed Seaton, who manage 200 pedigree Holstein cows in northwest England, expect to lose money this year, reflecting a broader trend that has seen the number of British dairy producers fall by 20% since 2019. The price paid by processors has dropped by up to 40% since October 2025, as domestic and global production outpaces demand. This glut is partially attributed to a rebound in milk production across the United States and continental Europe.
"Its simply a matter of too much milk in the market," said Kelly Seaton, whose family has farmed the Shropshire–Cheshire border for over a century.
