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.
Butter production rose from 31,500 tonnes in May 2024 to 33,600 tonnes in May 2025, an increase of 2,100 tonnes.
Skimmed Milk Powder Production was up by 8,500 tonnes from 18.400 tonnes in May 2024 to 26,900 tonnes 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.
Up-to-date trends of monthly Domestic Milk Intake for 2023, 2024 and 2025 can be seen in Figure 1.
Table 1 presents analysis of month versus month comparisons of the current year and previous year's Domestic Milk Intake.
| X-axis label | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 180.4 | 148.5 | 162.5 |
| Feb | 381 | 351.9 | 327.8 |
| Mar | 801.4 | 757.2 | 821.8 |
| Apr | 1028 | 952 | 1074.5 |
| May | 1159 | 1107.4 | 1183.2 |
| June | 1045.5 | 1031.2 | |
| Jul | 1014.5 | 972.4 | |
| Aug | 909.1 | 887.2 | |
| Sep | 763.7 | 767.7 | |
| Oct | 588.7 | 673.1 | |
| Nov | 381.7 | 512.3 | |
| Dec | 205.3 | 267.6 |
Table 2 summarises the monthly collection of milk and production of milk products.
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Editor's Note
This release has been selected for a new combined statistical release format that started with the January 2025 release. The new combined format presents the monthly data in a slimmed down monthly snapshot of the main changes which will be complemented by a quarterly release to provide additional context and analysis of trends over a longer period of time. Please note that the monthly snapshot continues to provide the same set of charts and tables as the previous format.
As this is a new approach for CSO Statistical Releases, we welcome feedback on the initiative from users of the release. Please contact us with your comments by email to milk@cso.ie.