New figures published today (Tuesday, November 5) show milk supplied to processors and co-ops bounced by 6 million litres in September 2024 when compared with the same month last year.

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) report domestic milk intake was estimated at 769.6 million litres in September 2024.

Stephanie Kelleher, statistician in the agriculture section of the CSO, said: “Today’s figures show that the domestic milk intake in September 2024 by milk processors and co-ops rose by 5.9 million litres, or 0.8%, compared with the same month in 2023.

“The domestic milk intake for the period January to September 2024 was at 6.98 billion litres, a fall of 4.1% compared with the corresponding value between January and September 2023.”

Milk supplies

 Trends of monthly domestic milk intake for 2023 and 2024 Source: CSO

Separate analysis by the CSO shows fat content for September 2024 was 4.60% – up from 4.55% in September 2023.

Protein content was also up from 3.78% to 3.88% in the 12 months to September 2024.

Meanwhile butter production rose marginally from 26,100 tonnes in September 2023 to 26,600 tonnes in September 2024 which represented an increase of 500 tonnes.

However skimmed milk powder production dropped by 1,700 tonnes, from 12,700 tonnes in September 2023 to 11,000 tonnes in September 2024. 

According to the European Commission’s latest Milk Market Situation report cow’s milk collection increased by 0.5% in January -August 2024.

EU milk supplies decreased in August 2024 by 1.4% (167.000 tonnes) compared to August 2023.

“In August 2024, average EU farm gate milk prices increased by 2.2% compared to the previous month, to 47.4c/kg,” the report outlined.

However latest statistics produced by Eurostat also show that a number of EU countries, including Ireland, saw a drop in milk intake by milk processors and co-ops earlier this year.

Source: Eurostat (except Ireland CSO)