The number of farmers in liquid milk production decreased by a further 9% last year, the National Milk Agency report for 2025 shows.

The number of registered milk supply contracts in 2024/2025 fell to 1,094, a decrease of 102 contracts on the previous year.

The number of all year round (AYR) contracts was down by 100 to 979, while the number of winter contracts decreased by 2 to 115.

The report shows that since the agency was established in 1995 the number of liquid milk producers has now reduced by 67%.

"The agency notes with concern the continuing decline in the number of registered producers," the report said.

In 2024/2025, milk purchased at contract prices by processors was 4% higher than sales, compared with 13% higher in the previous year.

Liquid milk

In 2024/2025, the annual supplies of registered producers increased by 12% to 866 million litres, compared to 768 million litres in 2023/2024.

In the five prescribed winter months of October 2025 to February 2026, the total milk supplies of registered producers stood at 278 million litres.

This is an increase of 16 million litres on the same period in 2024/2025.

Last year, milk imports into the fresh milk market from Northern Ireland amounted to 150 million litres.

This included an estimated 99 million litres of ‘packaged milk imports’ and 51 million litres of bulk raw milk which were imported for processing for liquid consumption in the State.

The reported stated that these imports had a market share of 27%.

The Irish domestic fresh milk market was valued at €640 million in 2025.

The national average retail price of fresh milk in all pack sizes was 117c/l in 2025, the same as the previous year.

National consumption of fresh milk last year was 547 million litres, a decrease of 17 million litres or 3% on 2024.

Despite this, Irish consumers still have one of the highest per capita annual consumptions of fresh milk in the world, at 100 litres.

In the Irish fresh milk market, it is estimated that approximately 70% of fresh milk sales in retail outlets are now sold as ‘own label’ according to industry sources.

Own label sales in 2 litre packs were retailed at an estimated average discount of 15% on processors’ brands, the same as in 2024.

Agency

In 2025, the National Milk Agency’s milk levy income was €638,896, up by €186,920 on the previous year.

Under legislation, a levy of 0.115 cent (0.155 cent from October 1, 2025) per litre of milk purchased and subsequently processed and sold for liquid consumption is payable by milk processors.

During the year the agency received €145,730 in respect of arrears of milk levy based on milk supplies not previously returned by a processor.

At year end, the agency’s accumulated fund amounted to €834,001 (2024: €724,641).

Salaries, social insurance and pension contributions for the agency's 5 staff members amounted to €383,587 in 2025.

Dr. Muiris Ó Céidigh, chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Milk Agency, had a salary of €106,329 and pension contribution of €17,725 in 2025.

The agency's administration costs totalled €152,830 last year, down from €165,116 in 2024.

Jackie Cahill was appointed as chair of the National Milk Agency in April, taking over from Denis Murphy who had held the position since 1994.