Domestic milk intake by milk processors and co-ops was estimated at 1.18 billion litres in May 2025, an increase of 75.8 million litres (+6.8%) when compared with May 2024 and up 24.1 million litres (+2.1%) when compared with the same month in 2023.

Fat content for May 2025 was 3.98%, down from 4.08% in May 2024. Protein content rose from 3.36% to 3.47% in the 12 months to May 2025, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Butter production rose from 31,500t in May 2024 to 33,600t in May 2025, an increase of 2,100t.

Skimmed milk powder production was up by 8,500t from 18.400t in May 2024 to 26,900t in May 2025.

For the period January to May 2025, domestic milk intake was estimated at 3.57 billion litres, a rise of 252.8 million litres (+7.6%) when compared with the same period in 2024 and by 19.9 million litres (+0.6%) when compared with 2023.

These findings can be attributed to Stephanie Kelleher, statistician in the Agriculture Section of the CSO.

Meanwhile, separate recent statistics from Eurostat show Ireland recorded one of the “sharpest” rises in agricultural output prices in the first quarter of the year across the EU.

According to figures from Eurostat published recently, the average price of agricultural output in the EU rose by 2.6% – which represented the second consecutive quarter of price increases.

Eurostat’s research shows there were “sharp price rises for milk” – which increased by 12.6% and eggs which rose by 10.7%.

Cereals also enjoyed a price increase of 9.6% compared with the first quarter of 2024.

However in contrast there was major fall in output prices for olive oil – which slumped by 43.5% and potatoes, which slumped by 13.4% and pigs where prices fell by 11.2%.