Domestic milk intake by creameries and pasteurisers was estimated at 654.7 million litres for October 2020, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
This represents an 8.3% increase on the figure over October 2019.
The monthly milk and milk products inquiry is a census of all creameries and pasteurisers.
The fat content of the whole milk is also collected.
During the period January to October 2020, domestic milk intake was estimated at 7.595 billion litres, an increase of 3.7% when compared to the corresponding period in 2019.
Source: CSO Ireland
Whole milk purchased by creameries and pasteurisers from domestic producers through collection depots and separating stations including whole milk obtained from herds owned by the creameries and pasteurisers. The fat content of the whole milk is also collected.
Comparing the October 2020 milk produce figures with those for October 2019 shows that:
- Butter production increased by 14.4% to 23,140t.
- Milk for human consumption decreased from 45.4 million litres to 39.2 million litres
- Cheese production decreased marginally from 27.1 thousand tonnes to 26.8 thousand tonnes.
Year on year the fat and protein content of the domestic milk changed only marginally between October 2019 and October 2020.
In October this year, there were 23.7 million litres of whole milk sold compared to 28.9 million litres for the same month last year.
In terms of skimmed (milk with less than or equal to 0.3% fat content) or semi-skimmed milk (milk with between 1.5% and 1.8% fat content) – sales for October 2020 were 15.5 million litres, compared to 16.5 milion litres a year prior.