Oct 28, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Cream Fresh – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The UK cream fresh market saw a dramatic recovery in consumption and market value in 2024 after a period of decline, reaching 22K tons and $95M respectively, though still below 2015 peaks. Domestic production has significantly contracted, leading to a heavy reliance on imports, which surged to 34K tons, primarily from Ireland. Exports, while substantial at 23K tons, have also declined. The market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of +1.6% in volume and +3.1% in value until 2035, reaching 26K tons and $133M, driven by increasing demand. Price trends show a significant rise in import prices, indicating a shift towards higher-value products.
Key Findings
UK cream fresh consumption rebounded sharply in 2024 to 22K tons, but remains well below the 2015 peak of 62K tonsDomestic production has collapsed, falling to 11K tons in 2024 from a peak of 51K tons in 2015Imports surged to 34K tons, with Ireland dominating supply at 78% of total import volumeThe market is forecast for steady growth, projected to reach 26K tons and $133M by 2035Significant price disparity exists, with import prices at $4,946/ton far exceeding export prices of $3,449/tonMarket Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for cream fresh in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 26K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $133M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Cream Fresh
After two years of decline, consumption of cream fresh increased by 662% to 22K tons in 2024. Over the period under review, consumption showed perceptible growth. Over the period under review, consumption attained the maximum volume at 62K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The size of the cream fresh market in the UK soared to $95M in 2024, picking up by 786% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption showed a resilient expansion. Cream fresh consumption peaked at $141M in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Cream Fresh
In 2024, cream fresh production in the UK shrank to 11K tons, remaining relatively unchanged against 2023 figures. Over the period under review, production faced a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 16%. Cream fresh production peaked at 51K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure. Cream fresh output in the UK indicated a abrupt decline, which was largely conditioned by a drastic downturn of the producing animals number and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.
In value terms, cream fresh production reached $36M in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 22% against the previous year. Cream fresh production peaked at $136M in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Cream Fresh
In 2024, imports of cream fresh into the UK skyrocketed to 34K tons, picking up by 63% on 2023. Overall, total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +89.6% against 2020 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
In value terms, cream fresh imports surged to $170M in 2024. In general, imports continue to indicate a prominent increase. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Ireland (27K tons) constituted the largest cream fresh supplier to the UK, accounting for a 78% share of total imports. Moreover, cream fresh imports from Ireland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Poland (2.3K tons), more than tenfold. France (1.6K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.6% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Ireland totaled +8.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+4.7% per year) and France (-3.4% per year).
In value terms, Ireland ($144M) constituted the largest supplier of cream fresh to the UK, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($6.6M), with a 3.9% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 3.7% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Ireland stood at +15.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+7.4% per year) and France (-1.2% per year).
Import Prices By Country
The average cream fresh import price stood at $4,946 per ton in 2024, rising by 20% against the previous year. Overall, the import price enjoyed resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 41%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ireland ($5,365 per ton), while the price for Poland ($2,847 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+14.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Cream Fresh
In 2024, overseas shipments of cream fresh decreased by -20.2% to 23K tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports recorded a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at 44K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, cream fresh exports dropped to $80M in 2024. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 53%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $122M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
Exports By Country
Poland (4.8K tons), the Netherlands (3.8K tons) and France (2.7K tons) were the main destinations of cream fresh exports from the UK, with a combined 48% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +177.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest markets for cream fresh exported from the UK were Poland ($16M), the Netherlands ($15M) and France ($8.8M), together accounting for 50% of total exports.
Poland, with a CAGR of +156.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
The average cream fresh export price stood at $3,449 per ton in 2024, rising by 9.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by 39%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $3,931 per ton. From 2019 to 2024, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($11,963 per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($2,774 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+5.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.