Whey and milk powders put this family well ahead of the rest of dairy. By 4 November 2026, eight of its nine indexed materials were higher over three months, for a mean move of +9.1%, and the one-year mean stood at +23.7%. The family covers ten materials, from liquid milk and powders to lactose, whey and milk proteins.
Whey protein is out in front at +27.6% over three months and +91.7% over a year. A note dated 17 October reported soaring whey protein prices in Europe, with demand from sports nutrition, yoghurt, infant formula and GLP-1 users. On 20 October, tight supplies and production disruptions were reported to be supporting whey values in the United States.
Cow whey gained 6.7% over three months and 64.9% over a year; its note reports whey prices soaring on the European market as of 10 August. Lactose rose 7.1%, and 23.1% on the year. Milk protein has no public index, but its 17 October note describes a squeeze in dairy ingredients.
Milk powders are next. Skimmed milk powder is up 18.6% over three months and 46.3% over a year, and whole milk powder 15.0% and 8.6%. Whole milk powder's three-month gain is close to skimmed milk powder's, but its one-year rise is far smaller. Neither has a dated market note at this point.
Liquid milk rose a little over three months but is still below last year: semi-skimmed milk +3.5% (-9.5% over a year), skim milk +2.2% (-4.7%) and whole milk +1.8% (-8.6%). News reported EU farm-gate milk prices lower year on year in August, with January to August deliveries up. Vegetable dairy, the plant-based line, is the family's only faller, at -0.2%.