Domestic milk intake by creameries and pasteurisers was estimated at 455.2 million litres for November 2020, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
This represents an 8.9% increase on the figure for November 2019.
During the period of January to November 2020, domestic milk intake was estimated at 8.04 billion litres. Compared to the same period in 2019 this accounts for a 3.8%.
Image source: CSO
The data analyses 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.
Comparison of November 2020 and November 2019 milk products shows that:
- Butter production increased from 15,100t to 17,900t;
- Milk for human consumption decreased from 43.7 million litres to 39.9 million litres;
- Cheese production increased marginally from 20,000t to 23,500t.
Over the last number of years the fat and protein content of the domestic milk changed only marginally, with this trend continuing between November 2019 and November 2020, with fat being 4.86% and protein being 3.85%.
In November this year, there were 25.1 million litres of whole milk sold, a slight decrease compared to 26.8 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 November 2020 were 14.8 million litres, compared to 16.9 million litres a year prior.