Ireland’s Liquid Milk Producers Continue to Decline

Ireland's liquid milk sector continues to contract as the number of registered liquid milk producers falls, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of year-round fresh milk supplies. According to the latest report from Ireland's National Milk Agency (NMA), the number of registered liquid milk suppliers declined by 32 to 1,196 in 2024, representing just 7% of the country's dairy farmers.

Registered liquid milk supplies also fell 4% to 424 million litres, while annual fresh milk consumption declined by 8 million litres (1%) to 564 million litres, although Ireland remains one of the world's highest per-capita fresh milk consumers at 105 litres per person annually. The report also highlights that domestic processors' market share has fallen to 70%, with imported packaged and raw milk accounting for the remaining 30% of the liquid milk market.

Industry leaders attribute the ongoing decline to economic pressures, labour shortages, changing lifestyles and the stronger appeal of seasonal milk production, underscoring the growing challenge of maintaining a stable year-round liquid milk supply chain in Ireland. (farmersjournal.ie)

Source: Dairynews7x7 22 July, 2026 Read full story here

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