Ireland milks less, Poland, France and Italy more

Ireland’s milk supply continued to decline in July. This was to be expected, as this has been the trend for the past few years. Milk supply in July, as recently reported by Eurostat, was 1,01 million tonnes. This is also down on last year, as milk supply in July 2023 was 1,04 million tonnes. Milk supply is also below the five-year average for July, which stands at 1,03 million tonnes.

Milk supply to Ireland up to July was 5,49 million tonnes. This is significantly lower than milk supply in 2023 in the same period, which was 5,78 million tonnes. In 2022, milk supply to July was 5,83 million tonnes, and in 2021, milk supply to July was 5,86 million tonnes. In 2020, milk supply to July was 5,51 million tonnes. This means that milk supply to July has fallen for the third year in a row.

In August, milk prices rose for some major dairy companies, as reported by Irishexaminer. Tirlán pays an average of 53,36 cents per litre. Irish Dairygold pays an average of 53,5 cents per litre. Carbery pays an average of 48,03 cents per litre. The higher price partly compensates for the lower production for Irish dairy farmers.

France
French milk supplies fell, as in most years, month-on-month in July to 1,94 million tonnes. This means that this year's milk supplies are higher than in July 2023, when milk supplies were 1,92 million tonnes. Compared to the five-year average of 1,96 million tonnes, this year's milk supplies are lower in July.

In total, milk supply up to July amounted to 14,38 million tonnes. In 2023, this was 14,19 million tonnes up to July, which means the current year is higher. The milk supply from 14,52 up to July was 2022 million tonnes. The total French milk supply therefore seems to be recovering again this year after a dip in 2023.

Polish milk supply improves
At 1,14 million tonnes, Poland's milk supply in July is higher than the five-year average of 1,1 million tonnes. Milk supply is also higher than July 2023 at 1,13 million tonnes.

Poland's milk supply has shown a significant improvement for several years. In 2020, milk supply up to July amounted to 7,44 million tonnes. This increased to 2021 million tonnes in 7,45. In 2022, milk supply increased further in that period, to 7,61 million tonnes. In 2023, the upward trend continued towards 7,76 million tonnes. This year, Polish milk supply up to July amounted to 8,09 million tonnes.

Italian milk supply increases sharply
Italian milk supplies fell month-on-month to 2024 million tonnes in July 1,03, up from 1,02 million tonnes in July 2023 but slightly below the five-year average of 1,04 million tonnes.

Italian milk supply was relatively high up to July, at 7,88 million tonnes. That is a big step up compared to the 7,47 million tonnes of 2023. 2022 is somewhere in between at 7,66 million tonnes.