June saw dairy imports fall across the board with a year on year decrease of 40% for butter, 13% for Cheddar and 9% for speciality cheeses, according to the latest figures from AHDB. Total import volumes so far this year (Jan-Jun) however, remain higher than 2018 levels.
The high level of imports that occurred before the original Brexit date boosted stocks, and may have reduced import demand in the following months. High domestic milk production, and the resulting increase in butter and cheese production, will also have dampened the need for imports.
June dairy exports followed a similar trend to imports with much lower export levels in the month but year to date totals up year on year. Butter exports were 39% this year than in June 2018, although they are up 15% in the year to date. Cheese exports were down 7% on the month but still up 6% in the year to date.
