Waitrose has expanded unhomogenised milk processing capacity at its Leckford Estate.
The retailer said the decision to install new milk tanks responded to the surging demand for unhomogenised milk, and meant Leckford’s production capacity has nearly doubled (95%) in just three years.
Weekly production of Waitrose Duchy Organic Unhomogenised Milk at the Leckford Estate soared 74% between July 2023 and 2026, but the additional tanks have increased this by a further 20%.
The move comes as sales for Waitrose Duchy Organic British Free Range Unhomogenised Whole Milk and Waitrose No.1 Organic Unhomogenised Ayrshire Whole Milk have jumped 29% and 34% in volume year on year.
In the same period, searches on Waitrose’s website for ‘unhomogenised milk’ and ‘unhomogenised’ have increased 200% and 367% respestively.
Despite the already considerable uplift in sales, a Waitrose spokesperson told The Grocer the supermarket expected “demand for unhomogenised milk to continue to grow”.
Dan Robinson, food processing manager at the Leckford Estate, said unhomogenised milk was “truly becoming the cream of the crop”.
“We believe this surge in popularity is being driven by a desire for whole foods and a growing awareness of ultra-processed foods,” he said. “Many customers are now seeking the ‘brilliant basics’ and embracing a simpler, more natural approach to their diets.”
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