Domestic milk intake by milk processors and co-ops was estimated at 1.05 billion litres in June 2026, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

This represents a decrease of 35 million litres or 3.2% when compared with June 2025.

However, the June 2026 figure is up 14.3 million litres (1.4%) on the same month in 2024.

CSO

The CSO data shows that for the eighth consecutive month, fat content was higher than in the same month of the previous year.

In June 2026, fat content was 4.14%, up from 4.06% in June 2025.

Protein content also rose from 3.45% in June 2025 to 3.50% in June 2026.

Butter production was down marginally from 35,300 tonnes in June 2025 to 35,200 tonnes in June 2026.

Commenting on the data, Stephanie Kelleher, statistician in the agriculture section of the CSO, said: "Production of skimmed milk powder was down 800 tonnes, from 27,100 tonnes in June 2025 to 26,300 tonnes in June 2026".

"Looking at April, May, and June (quarter 2) 2026, domestic milk intake was estimated at 3.25 billion litres, a reduction of 2.8% compared with the corresponding value in Q2 2025.

"When compared with Q2 2024, domestic milk intake was up 155.3 million litres (+5%) in Q2 2026.

"Quarterly butter production increased by 3,500 tonnes, from 101,500 tonnes in Q2 2025 to 105,000 tonnes in Q2 2026," Kelleher added.