Butter & Cheese Production in the UK - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: October 2023
SIC C10.512Revenue
£4.6bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XXX.Xm
Employees
7,845
Businesses
231
Wages
£XXX.Xm
Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry analysis
The Butter and Cheese Production industry has expanded recently, supported by surging farm-gate milk prices since 2022. Fluctuations in global milk supply cause volatility in the domestic price of milk, which makes milk and cheese prices volatile. The persistent popularity of cheddar cheese and ongoing product innovation has been the principal source of revenue for the past couple of decades. The provenance of food has played an important factor in consumer purchasing habits, with artisan cheese producers growing in popularity.
Trends and Insights
- Milk price hikes boost revenue. A shortage in milk supplies and increased demand have led to higher selling prices for cheese and butter processors, supporting revenue growth in the industry.
- Cheddar dominates the global cheese market. Its low cost and familiarity drive consumer preference, limiting the success of other types of cheese.
- The South West excels in cheese production. Boasting the UK's largest grassland area, the region offers ideal conditions for dairy farming and is home to EU Protected Designation of Origin West Country Farmhouse Cheddar.
- Competition drives innovation in products. Producers must constantly develop new cheese varieties and flavours to attract consumers and maintain market share.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £4.6bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Milk price hikes have caused rapid revenue expansion
- Revenue growth accelerated in 2021-22 off the back of milk price rises, forcing cheese and butter processors to increase selling prices.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Organic products are becoming more popular
- Free-range and organic dairy are mounting in popularity as concerns surrounding ethical production grow.
Biggest companies in the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (£m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Arla Foods Ltd | 926.5 | |
Dairy Crest Ltd | 435.8 | |
The First Milk Cheese Company Ltd | 272.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Cheddar, Unripened cheese and Processed cheese. Cheddar is the largest segment of the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Cheddar dominates the cheese market
- Cheddar, a hard off-white cheese, is by far the most popular cheese variety in the UK and the most eaten globally.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Dairy Cattle Raising in the UK
- Sheep Farming in the UK
- Milk & Cream Production in the UK
- Yoghurt & Other Dairy Product Processing in the UK
- Ice Cream Production in the UK
International industries
- Global Cheese Manufacturing
- Dairy Product Production in the US
- Cheese Production in the US
- Dairy Product Production in Canada
- Butter and Dairy Product Manufacturing in Australia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry includes establishments that manufacture butter, cheese and curd. It excludes the manufacture of non-dairy cheese or butter substitutes. Spreads made from buttermilk are included whereas margarine, which is made from vegetable oil, is excluded. Fromage frais, although technically a type of cheese, is excluded from this industry (see IBISWorld report C10.519).
What's included in this industry?
Producing butterProducing cheeseProducing curdCompanies
Arla Foods LtdDairy Crest LtdThe First Milk Cheese Company LtdPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
FROMAGE FRAISGEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (GI)BLOCKFORMERSIndustry Code
SIC 10.51/2 - Butter & Cheese Production in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Milk price hikes boost revenue. A shortage in milk supplies and increased demand have led to higher selling prices for cheese and butter processors, supporting revenue growth...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Cheddar dominates the global cheese market. Its low cost and familiarity drive consumer preference, limiting the success of other types of cheese.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The South West excels in cheese production. Boasting the UK's largest grassland area, the region offers ideal conditions for dairy farming and is home to EU Protected Designa...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competition drives innovation in products. Producers must constantly develop new cheese varieties and flavours to attract consumers and maintain market share.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Arla Foods Ltd leads the industry. This is thanks to its extensive market presence and popular brands. The company's flagship products, Lurpak and Anchor, experienced signifi...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Arla Foods Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Dairy Crest Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of The First Milk Cheese Company Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Arla Foods Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Dairy Crest Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for The First Milk Cheese Company Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Food Information Regulations 2014 ensure transparency. These regulations require producers to provide clear information about allergens, origin and nutrition, promoting consu...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit dips amid milk price hikes. Despite price increases to consumers, cheese and butter processors struggle to pass all costs due to supermarket power.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2021)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2021)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2021)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2021)
- Assets (2017-2021)
- Liabilities (2017-2021)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £4.6bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry in 2023?
There are 231 businesses in the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.0 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 5.1 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Butter & Cheese Production market in United Kingdom are Arla Foods Ltd, Dairy Crest Ltd and The First Milk Cheese Company Ltd
What does the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Producing butter and Producing cheese are part of the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Arla Foods Ltd.
How competitive is the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Butter & Cheese Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
