June data shows that producer numbers for England and Wales stood at 12,252, 57 less than in May. Annual comparisons show that numbers have fallen by 615 (4.8%). Regional data shows that the Midlands saw the largest loss of producers between June 2007 and June 2008 with 119 (8.1%), closely followed by Wales which saw 115 producers leave the industry. For more information on producer numbers in Wales click here. However, the East saw the largest percentage of producers leave the industry between June 2007 and June 2008, with a 8.2% fall (16 producers).

Between May 2008 and June 2008 the North West saw the most farmers leave the industry with 15 (0.6%), the largest loss was in Cheshire and Staffordshire. This was closely followed by both Wales and then the Midlands which each saw 11 and 9 producers leave the industry between May and June, respectively. For information of producer numbers in individual counties please click here.

Please note: figures include buffalo, goat and sheeps' milk producers as well as cows milk producers.

It must be taken into account that DHI figures represent the number processed forms received each month. Due to time lags in processing the forms or time lags in farmers informing the DHI that they have stopped producing, these figures may not provide an exact representation of the number of farmers that have ceased producing milk in a particular month.

Producer Numbers England & Wales

Source: DHI

Source: DHI