Which is the healthiest milk and the cheapest milk

If you are looking to find out what the healthiest milk is and what the cheapest milk is, then you are at the right place.

The supermarket aisles are certainly one place you can tell the signs of Australian inflation.

First, it was toilet paper, then vegetables but now, milk and dairy are sending us all broke.

Dairy is up 14 per cent over the past year. A two-litre carton of milk now costs an average of $3.10 and a 500-gram packet of grated cheese has a $7 price tag. That's crazy!

Wet conditions, increased production costs and a decline in the number of Australian dairy farmers have all contributed to the increase.

Rabobank analyst Michael Harvey says high production costs are being passed onto consumers.

"Dairy companies are looking to pass through some of the high costs that they're seeing in their business," Mr Harvey said.

"So, it does mean that consumers are paying a lot more for dairy across the dairy aisle."

Price comparison

We asked you our Community (join here!) how much you pay for milk and we discovered the price comparisons across the country are astounding!

So what is the cost of a carton of milk at the moment?

With milk prices ranging from $1.50 - $2.50 a litre we take a look at some of the best milk prices.

The average cost of a 1L full cream milk seems to be consistently around $1.60 across the country.

But some of the more specialty milk costs are crazy!

$7 for a 2 litre A2 milk in Melbourne while in Adelaide it is around $6.40.

In Sydney 1 litre of A2 milk is $4.30

Prices as at 1 July 2024

Price check!

Coles - A2 milk $3.90L and normal full cream milk $1.60L

Woolworths - normal full cream milk $1.60L and A2 milk $3.45L

Aldi - $1.59 full cream milk

What are the different milks?

There are a few differences in dairy milks for example:

Fresh milk $1.60L

Fresh milk comes in several forms including full-fat (about 3.8% milk fat on average), low-fat (less than 1.5% milk fat), skim (no more than 0.15% milk fat), modified (fortified with extra protein, vitamins or other nutrients), flavoured milk and buttermilk.

Concentrated milk $3.80 for 395g

Concentrated milk is made by removing moisture from milk. Condensed milk is one form of concentrated milk, made by increasing milk solids to 28%, canning and then sterilising it. Sweetener is sometimes added.

Milk powders ($10 for a 1kg)are another form of concentrated milk. These are made through a similar process with a milk concentrate made up of about 40% milk solids, which is then dried to reduce moisture to just 3%.

Long-life milk $1.60 1L

This milk is superheated so that all microorganisms and heat-resistant enzymes are deactivated. For example, regular fresh milk is heated to 74°C for 15 seconds, while long-life milk (otherwise known as Ultra-Heat Treatment or UHT) is heated to 140°C for two seconds.

Raw milk

Raw milk refers to any type of milk that hasn't been treated through a process like pasteurisation (heated to kill bacteria).

A1/A2 milk $3.90 L

A1 and A2 refer to a specific protein found in milk called beta casein. Different breeds of cows produce milk with more or less of either A1 or A2 protein.

The best option is Cow’s milk as it is the healthiest option and a major source of calcium and vitamin D and non-dairy milks are not naturally high in these nutrients.

Milk nutritional information

Type per 100g	Protein (g)	Fat (g)	Carbohydrate (g)	Energy (Kj)	Calcium (mg)
Regular/Full-Fat	3.5	3.5	6.3	293	107
UHT/Long-Life	3.6	3.8	4.6	277	117
Reduced-Fat (modified milk)	3.8	1.2	6.1	212	109
Skim	3.7	0.1	5.0	147	121

Via Dairy Australia

Alternative milks

There are many alterative milks if you are dairy intolerant or prefer to limit your dairy intake.

Soy Milk $2.20 1L

Soy milk, also known as soya milk is a plant-based drink produced by soaking and grinding soybeans, boiling the mixture, and filtering out remaining particulates. It is a stable emulsion of oil, water, and protein.

Almond Milk $3.40L

Almond milk is made from processing almonds, water, and sometimes other additives. It’s high in vitamin E. But, it may not be suitable for children and it’s best to choose natural, unsweetened products.

Coconut Milk $2.15 1L

Coconut milk is a milky-white liquid extracted from the grated pulp of mature coconuts. The rich taste of coconut milk are due to its high oil content, most of which is saturated fat.

Rice Milk $3.30 1L

Rice milk is typically made by pressing grains of rice through a grinding mill. It’s then strained and blended with water. The final product is often flavored with added sweeteners and fortified with nutrients.

Oat milk $3.30 1L

Oat milk is a plant-based, vegan-friendly drink that is made by blending together oats and water and straining off the liquid.

The best milk for your health

Full fat dairy milk is a highly nutritious whole food, and a natural source of high-quality protein, essential for building and maintaining muscle, and calcium and vitamin D for strong bones and teeth, and other vitamins and minerals.

But if you prefer a dairy free alternative then Soy milk is a good option according to UNSW School of Health Sciences head professor Eleanor Beck.

“Nutritionally, it’s the closest to dairy milk, with similar protein, which is important when choosing a substitute, as long as you choose one fortified with vitamins and minerals, including calcium,” Prof Beck explains.

Comparison in calories per serve (1 cup)

Soy: 127

Almond: 40

Coconut: 330

Oat: 120

Rice: 115

A2 Milk: 160

Skim Milk: 86

Full milk: 122

Prices as at 1 July 2024