Irish milk production has fallen for two consecutive months, with the impact now expected to be felt across Europe, DairyReporter reports.
Ireland is a significant player in the European dairy market, accounting for 6.3% of EU dairy exports last year, and is a particularly important supplier to the UK, where any drop-offs will be felt most.
Irish milk volumes first tipped into decline in April with a 3.4% drop, then fell another 1.5% in May, per CLAL figures. The trend mirrors the UK, where the decline is accelerating — a 3.1% fall in June year on year, per AHDB — with the worst impact late in the month as heatwaves stressed cows and cut yields.
In Ireland, heat stress has been less severe than in Great Britain, but temperatures remain above summer norms, and little rain has affected its predominantly grass-fed systems, which will filter through to supply.
Why is production down?
Fuel protests across Ireland in April caused further disruption, reportedly affecting feed supplies and milk collections, AHDB added, noting a fuel subsidy has since been arranged for farmers covering March to July.
Like many worldwide, Irish farmers are still bearing lower prices as global milk supplies remain abundant: the EU forecasts a 1.6% rise for 2026 as a whole, though growth is expected to slow later in the year, while Teagasc, Ireland’s national agriculture body, expects average milk prices this year to be 20% lower than 2025 averages.
Source: DairyReporter
