Domestic milk intake down 242.6 million litres to end of June

Estimates from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) have shown that domestic milk intake from the January to June period 2024 is running 5.3% lower than the corresponding period in 2023.

Totalling an estimated 4.35 billion litres for the period, that’s a decline of 242.6 million litres on the 2023 timeframe or 284.8 million litres lower (6.1%) when compared to January to June 2022.

Additionally, for the month of June 2024, the CSO reports that domestic milk intake by milk processors and co-ops was estimated at 1.03 billion – a decrease of 13.3 million litres (1.3%) when compared to June 2023, and down 25.4 million litres (2.4%) when compared to the same month in 2022.

Figure 1: Domestic milk intake

Despite the decline in supplies in June 2024, constituents were in a stronger position. The CSO reports that fat content for June 2024 was 4.01%, up from 3.98% in June 2023, while protein content went up marginally from 3.39% to 3.42% in the 12 months to June 2024. Additionally, the CSO reports, butter production rose from 30,600 tonnes in June 2023 to 31,400 tonnes in June 2024, an increase of 800 tonnes, whereas skimmed milk powder production was down by 1,700 tonnes, from 20,200 tonnes in June 2023 to 18,600 tonnes in June 2024.

Commenting on the release, Sam Scriven, Senior Statistician in the Agriculture Section of the CSO, said: “The figures released today show that domestic milk intake by milk processors and co-ops in June 2024 fell marginally compared with the same month in 2023, by 13.3 million litres, or 1.3%, The estimated fat content and protein content in June 2024 were both higher than a year ago, at 4.01% and 3.42% respectively. Butter production stood at 31,400 tonnes, an increase of 800 tonnes compared with June 2023, while production of Skimmed Milk Powder was at 18,600 tonnes, lower than in 2023 by 1,700 tonnes.”

More detailed information on these statistics is available on the CSO website.