View of improvement with lower Irish milk supply

In April this year, Irish milk supplies amounted to 0,98 million tonnes, as reported by Eurostat. That is 7,88% lower than the same month last year, and 10,2% lower than the same month in 2022. Compared to the five-year average, the Irish milk supply in April 2024 is 6,66% lower. A significant decline.

From January to April 2024, milk supply amounted to 2,27 million tons. That is 7,8% less than 2023, when the milk supply in that period was 2,5 million tons. In 2022, the milk supply in that period was 2,6 million tons, which means that the milk supply of 2024 in the same period is 8,67% lower.

We previously wrote about the decline of the Irish milk supply early this year, with the wet weather being the main factor. This was a huge setback as the Irish dairy system is largely a grass-fed system. February was the wettest month in years, said David Kennedy, head of dairy at Irish export organization Bord Bia. March didn't cooperate either. This year it was not possible to get the cows outside early. "But the past few months are not the most important for our milk production. Typically, the first quarter provides only 10% of our milk production. Normally our milk production peaks in April, May, June and July," Kennedy said earlier this year.

The weather has improved in Ireland in recent weeks. There was less rain, but it was still cold for the time of year. The grass grew well, but according to an Irish dairy expert, higher temperatures could have accelerated growth. Dairy farmers are having a hard time due to the difficult winter and disappointing dairy prices last year. But market prices are picking up somewhat, especially for butter.