Defra's Family Food Survey has released the latest data on consumption of food products in the UK. Defra are now producing data for the calendar year rather than for the milk year, which has previously been the case. Average liquid milk consumption for 2006 stands at 1,614mls per person per week - 0.8% lower than the data for the 2005/06 year. Further examination of the figures shows that consumption of semi-skimmed milk fell by 3.4% on the 2005/06 year while skimmed and whole milk increased by 2.5% and 3.7% respectively.

In other dairy products, yogurt consumption continues to increase, data shows an increase of 1.5% on 2005/06 and 39.7% up on the figure for 1996. Elsewhere, consumption of cheese has stabilised at 116g per person per week, within the cheese category cottage cheese consumption has fallen while soft natural cheese and processed cheese consumption has increased, when compared to 2005/06. Butter consumption has also increased from an average of 38g per person to 40g per person. Dairy desserts consumption has fallen slightly from 42g per person per week to 41g, although it is still 57.7% greater than 1996.

For further information on consumption statistics, please click here.

Source: DEFRA