Ireland: Domestic milk intake down by 365m litres in 2023
Source: The DairyNews
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has reported that domestic milk intake by creameries and pasteurisers in Ireland reached approximately 8.5 billion litres in 2023.
This reflects a decline of 4.1%, equivalent to 365.5 million litres, compared to the previous year (8.8 million litres). Furthermore, it is also down by 3.4% or 299.1 million litres compared to the 2021 figure of 8.7 million litres.
The data, released on Thursday, February 8, revealed that the annual fat content for 2023 stood at 4.3%, a slight increase from 4.28% in the previous year. However, the protein content decreased from 3.55% in 2022 to 3.52% in 2023, reflecting the challenging weather conditions faced by farmers.
Butter production saw an increase, reaching 277,400 tonnes in 2023, up by 8,200 tonnes (3%) from 2022's 269,200 tonnes. Milk sales for human consumption dropped to almost 498 million litres in 2023, compared to just over 503 million litres in 2022.
Whole milk sales were 318 million litres (321 million in 2022), while skimmed and semi-skimmed milk sales were 179 million litres (181 million in 2022). Skimmed milk powder (SMP) production also experienced a decline to 166,500 tonnes in 2023, down from 173,700 tonnes in 2022.
The CSO reported that domestic milk intake in December 2023 was estimated at 206.1 million litres, a decrease of 76.6 million litres compared to December 2022 and down 52.4 million litres (20.3%) compared to December 2021.
Dr. Grzegorz Glaczynski, a statistician in the agriculture section of the CSO, noted a 27.1% decrease in domestic milk intake in December 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. The total domestic milk intake for 2023 fell by 4.1% (365.5 million litres) compared to 2022.
Meanwhile, the Ornua Purchase Price Index (PPI) recorded a slight decline for January 2024, standing at 125.1, down from 125.5 in December 2023. The indicative return for the Ornua product portfolio is 37.1c/L, VAT inclusive, based on estimated member co-op processing costs of 7.5c/L, excluding any allowance for processor margin. This figure remains unchanged from the indicative price in December 2023.
The data, released on Thursday, February 8, revealed that the annual fat content for 2023 stood at 4.3%, a slight increase from 4.28% in the previous year. However, the protein content decreased from 3.55% in 2022 to 3.52% in 2023, reflecting the challenging weather conditions faced by farmers.
Butter production saw an increase, reaching 277,400 tonnes in 2023, up by 8,200 tonnes (3%) from 2022's 269,200 tonnes. Milk sales for human consumption dropped to almost 498 million litres in 2023, compared to just over 503 million litres in 2022.
Whole milk sales were 318 million litres (321 million in 2022), while skimmed and semi-skimmed milk sales were 179 million litres (181 million in 2022). Skimmed milk powder (SMP) production also experienced a decline to 166,500 tonnes in 2023, down from 173,700 tonnes in 2022.
The CSO reported that domestic milk intake in December 2023 was estimated at 206.1 million litres, a decrease of 76.6 million litres compared to December 2022 and down 52.4 million litres (20.3%) compared to December 2021.
Dr. Grzegorz Glaczynski, a statistician in the agriculture section of the CSO, noted a 27.1% decrease in domestic milk intake in December 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. The total domestic milk intake for 2023 fell by 4.1% (365.5 million litres) compared to 2022.
Meanwhile, the Ornua Purchase Price Index (PPI) recorded a slight decline for January 2024, standing at 125.1, down from 125.5 in December 2023. The indicative return for the Ornua product portfolio is 37.1c/L, VAT inclusive, based on estimated member co-op processing costs of 7.5c/L, excluding any allowance for processor margin. This figure remains unchanged from the indicative price in December 2023.
