Full-Fat Milk Makes a Comeback as Channel Islands Consumers Turn Away from Low-Fat Options

Full-fat milk is growing in popularity across the Channel Islands, with dairy producers reporting a significant shift away from low-fat options.

Guernsey Dairy said sales of full-fat milk have increased by 30% since 2019. Dairy operations director Andrew Tabel said demand rose from 568,000 litres in 2019 to just over 750,000 litres in 2025.

While low-fat milk still makes up most sales, Tabel noted it has gradually declined in recent years. Skimmed milk has seen a sharper drop, falling by around 23% over the same period.

The trend mirrors developments in the UK, where shoppers — particularly younger consumers — are increasingly opting for what they see as more natural and minimally processed foods.

Retail giant Tesco also reported a surge in demand for full-fat milk, selling more than three million additional litres in 2025 compared with two years earlier — an increase of more than 100%. Nutritionists cited by Tesco suggested full-fat dairy products can form part of a balanced diet.

Jersey Dairy has seen a similar pattern. Managing director Eamon Fenlon said younger consumers were seeking higher-protein foods, with milk fitting that demand. Whole milk currently accounts for around 10% of sales on the island, with annual growth of about 20% over the past five years.

Fenlon also pointed to export demand, with full-fat milk making up 60% of shipments to Hong Kong and all exports to South Korea consisting of whole milk. He added that growing interest in protein has helped drive the increase in demand.

Data from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board showed semi-skimmed and skimmed milk sales declined in the UK in the 12 weeks to 21 February, while whole milk volumes rose by 3% year-on-year.

Registered nutritionist Sophie Gastman said consumers were increasingly willing to pay more for richer dairy products. She added that growing interest in digestion and satiety had contributed to a move away from low-fat diets towards less processed foods.

However, health experts have urged caution. Senior dietitian Dell Stanford from the British Heart Foundation warned that full-fat Channel Island milk can contain up to three times more saturated fat and around 50% more calories than semi-skimmed alternatives. While it can still be part of a balanced diet, she said reducing saturated fat intake by choosing lower-fat options could benefit many people.

Ian Givens, emeritus professor of nutrition at University of Reading, said protein levels were similar across skimmed, low-fat and full-fat milk. He added that reducing consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods — rather than focusing solely on dairy fat — may have greater benefits for cardiovascular health.