Ireland's Dairy Industry Overview in 2024
Ireland is renowned for its premium dairy products, thanks to its lush green pastures and temperate climate, which create an ideal environment for dairy farming. In 2024, Ireland continues to demonstrate its significance in the global dairy sector through impressive production and export figures.
Dairy Cattle and Milk Production
As of 2024, Ireland is home to approximately 1.5 million dairy cattle. This robust herd supports a substantial milk production volume of about 8.3 billion liters annually, underscoring Ireland's crucial role in meeting global dairy demand.
Milk Processing and Cheese Production
Ireland's advanced milk processing infrastructure handles around 7.9 billion liters annually. The country's cheese production is notably strong, with an output of approximately 250,000 metric tons per year. Additionally, Ireland produces around 300,000 metric tons of milk powder and whey annually, presenting a diverse portfolio of dairy products.
Key Dairy Enterprises
- Ornua: Known for the marketing and export of Irish dairy products worldwide.
- Kerry Dairy Ireland: Specializes in milk processing and cheese production.
- Glanbia Ireland: Focused on cheese and whey production.
- Dairygold: A leading cooperative involved in dairy farming and exports.
Notable Dairy Farms
- The Ballygrad Farm
- The Ballynoe Farm
- The Aherlow Farm
- The Rathmore Farm
Export and Import of Dairy Products
Ireland exports about 1.4 billion liters of milk equivalent annually, supplying key markets across the EU, US, and Asia. On the import side, the country brings in around 100 million liters of milk equivalent per year, reflecting a strong export-oriented strategy.
Recent Developments and Market Events
The dairy industry in Ireland has seen several significant developments, including the appointment of Cesar França as Global Foods Division Managing Director at Ornua and the stabilization of raw milk prices following a mid-2023 surge. Kerry Dairy Ireland set its June milk price at 42.5 cents per liter and announced a milk payment increase to 53.5 cents per liter in January 2024. Environmental regulations are impacting herd sizes to mitigate nitrogen emissions, and RDJ LLP has been tasked with addressing milk pricing issues with Kerry Creameries Ltd.
Challenges and Opportunities
Ireland's dairy industry faces pricing dynamics and regulatory changes while exploring opportunities for global expansion through innovation. Sustainability efforts include Greenhills Farm's collaboration with Ørsted on a 250 MW solar initiative. Rising production costs have led to increased consumer prices.
Upcoming Events
In 2025, Ireland will host the 3rd Annual National Dairy Awards. Challenges include new U.S. tariffs affecting Kerrygold and the broader dairy sector. The FSAI has recalled specific batches of Dairy Farm Vanilla Ice Cream and Tony’s Chocolonely chocolate for safety reasons. The Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme has re-opened for new applicants with a €25 million allocation focusing on animal health and beef integration. Carbery announced a reduction in its base milk price by 1c/L for March 2025.
Conclusion
Ireland's dairy industry is set for robust growth and continues to significantly contribute to the EU market supply, with a strong international market presence. Innovation and sustainability efforts remain pivotal as the industry addresses challenges and leverages new opportunities. New US tariffs are prompting a cautious approach among some buyers. The Irish Farmers Association warns that declining dairy replacement stock trends could lead to a collapse in dairy herds in two years, with a significant decrease in dairy herd replacements noted by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society. Ireland's rich agricultural heritage and lush pastures establish it as a formidable player in the global dairy industry. Dairy remains the economic powerhouse for rural Ireland, generating almost 60% of farm income, despite representing less than 15% of farms. This financial success, distributing €6.4 billion ($7.4 billion) in exports, has an environmental toll.
Modified: 2025/05/18