🐄 How Supermarkets Are Failing Dairy Farmers — And Why Local Matters More Than Ever

For generations, British dairy farmers have worked through early mornings, unpredictable weather, rising costs, and endless pressure — all to produce the fresh milk that so many households rely on. But in recent years, many farmers have found themselves squeezed harder than ever, and one of the biggest reasons is the way large supermarkets operate.
At Doorstep Deliveries, we believe customers deserve to know what’s really happening behind the scenes — and why choosing local makes such a difference.

🏪 The Supermarket Problem: Low Prices, High Pressure
Many dairy farmers say that supermarket buying practices have pushed the industry to breaking point. Some of the most common concerns include:
• Prices driven down to unsustainable levels
Supermarkets often compete by offering milk at extremely low prices, sometimes even below the cost of production. Farmers are left with margins so thin they can barely cover feed, fuel, and labour.
• Long contracts with little flexibility
Farmers can be tied into agreements that don’t reflect rising costs, leaving them vulnerable when expenses spike.
• Unpredictable buying behaviour
Sudden changes in demand or contract terms can leave farmers with surplus milk and no fair outlet for it.
The result? Many family‑run farms — the backbone of British dairy — struggle to survive, and some have been forced to close their doors for good.

🐮 The Human Cost Behind Cheap Milk
When milk is sold cheaply on supermarket shelves, it’s rarely the supermarket that takes the hit. It’s the farmers.
Rising costs of:
• feed
• fuel
• fertiliser
• veterinary care
• equipment
• labour
…mean farmers need fair, stable prices to keep going. When they don’t get that, it affects not just their business, but their families, their animals, and their communities.

🌱 Why Buying Local Makes a Real Difference
This is where local milk rounds — like Doorstep Deliveries — play a vital role.
When customers choose local delivery instead of supermarket milk, they’re supporting:
✔ Fairer prices for farmers
Local dairies and milk rounds typically pay farmers more stable, sustainable rates.
✔ Shorter supply chains
Less transport, less waste, and fresher milk on your doorstep.
✔ Local jobs and rural communities
Your money stays in the region, supporting real people rather than corporate shareholders.
✔ Better animal welfare
Smaller farms often prioritise higher welfare standards and more traditional farming methods.
✔ A future for British dairy
Every local order helps keep family farms alive for the next generation.

🚚 Doorstep Deliveries: Proud to Support Local Farmers
At Doorstep Deliveries, we work closely with local producers who care deeply about their animals, their land, and the quality of the milk they produce. We believe in:
• paying fair prices
• building long‑term relationships
• supporting sustainable farming
• keeping traditional milk rounds alive
When you choose Doorstep Deliveries, you’re not just buying milk — you’re backing the farmers who make it possible.

🧡 Your Choice Matters
Supermarkets may continue to prioritise low prices over fair treatment, but customers have more power than they realise. Every time you choose local, you’re voting for:
• better farming
• better food
• better communities
And that’s something worth standing behind.