Poland milk prices rise 6% in September despite year-on-year decline

According to data from the Statistics Poland (GUS), the average purchase price for cow's milk rose to 187.11 PLN per hectoliter in September 2026, representing a 6% increase compared to August. However, prices remain 16.3% lower than in September 2025.

Significant regional disparities exist across Poland. The Podlaskie Voivodeship recorded the highest average price at 201.45 PLN per hectoliter (approximately 2.01 PLN per liter), followed by Warmian-Masurian and Masovian voivodeships. In contrast, the Łódź Voivodeship saw the lowest average at 172.08 PLN per hectoliter, creating a price gap of nearly 30 PLN per hectoliter between the highest and lowest regions.

Marek Kapica, president of the National Union of Dairy Cooperatives, noted that the sector continues to face profitability challenges. Despite the monthly price uptick, dairy product exports fell by 8% during the first eight months of 2026, totaling approximately 2.6 billion euros, although exports outside the European Union saw a 1% increase.