Irish milk price trends in 2026 have mirrored those seen across Europe, with the average April milk price across the bloc now marking its tenth consecutive decrease.

That's according to data from ZuivelNL, a Dutch dairy organisation that tracks milk prices offered by the major European co-operatives and milk purchasers.

Before the price cuts began in June 2025, that year had kicked off with high prices following on from the record end of year levels in 2024.

The chart below tracks how the milk price had risen across 2024, staying high into 2025, before starting to fall in the second half of the year.

Current 2026 milk prices remain below 2024 levels, but are higher than the 2020-2023 average.

In terms of Irish prices, base prices began dropping from an average of 48.63c/L in June 2025 to an average of 34.3c/L by December 2025.

In the latest Milk Price Tracker for Ireland, milk prices held relatively stable for April supplies, with no direct cuts from any processors.

The increased prices means the average base price for April was 37.24c/L.

Base price

The milk price for the ZuivelNL report is calculated based on the following milk criteria per 100kg of milk:

4.2% fat;
3.4% protein;
TBC 24,999/ml;
SCC 249,999/ml.

VAT is excluded from the calculation.

According to the report, the European average standard milk price for April was €39.76/100kgs of milk solids.

This was down marginally on the March average by €0.72/100kgs milk solids or 1.08%.

However, the average price was down on April 2025 prices by almost 21%, or -€0.1042/1kg of milk solids.

In terms of the Irish co-ops listed in the report, all were offering prices in April that came in below the European average.

Tirlan offered €36.97/100kgs of milk, while Dairygold paid €36.26/100kgs of milk.

Kerry Agribusiness had a €36.81 base price/100kgs of milk, but this included additional supplement of €2.79 per 100kg on top of the base milk price during the first three months of this year. This supplement is included in the fat and protein price.

Across Europe, Finnish company Valio had the highest payout with a base price of €43.11/100kg.

The co-op cut its price by €3.40 (approx. €0.034/L) from March, following 10 months of stability.

Caspa Foods saw the biggest cut with of €7.44/100kgs (€0.0744/1kg). The monthly surcharge on the milk price was also halved (from €7.77/100kg to €3.88/100kg of milk).

This cut was a response to the market conditions and had been anticipated, according to the report.

A payment for animal welfare of €0.60/100kg of milk is not yet included in the calculated milk price.

Milk supplies

EU milk supply jumped by 4.5% in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, with Poland as well as western Europe the driving forces behind this. Ireland saw a minor increase in collections of 1.6% on 2025 levels.

Global supplies were up in the first quarter as well. New Zealand saw significant increases of supply of 9.7%. Australia saw a rise of 2.8% and Argentina saw a 7.9% increase in supply.

Uruguay saw the highest jump of 11.3%.

When all global export supplies are combined, the total milk supply is up 4.1% on Q1 2025.

The milk price correlates with the global dairy trade, according to the report.

Butter took a hit of €400/t in the first half of May but has now stabilised and had a minor rebound, it said.

In Global Dairy Trade auctions over the past six months, butter prices fell to €4,360 per metric tonne (MT) in December before rebounding to €5,975/MT by March.

Butter hit another slump in May, dropping to €4,722/ MT but has shown signs of recovery increasing to €4,924/MT on June 2.