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Irish milk production shows strong recovery
Ireland's milk production is recovering rapidly after a sharp decline in early 2024. In October, the country produced 695.900 tonnes of milk, up 14,81% on the same month in 2023, according to Eurostat data.
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This is a clear shift from the trend seen in the first eight months of 2024, where milk production was lower than the previous year and also lower than the five-year average. Over the first ten months of 2024, production was 2,74% lower than in the same period a year earlier.
Change of weather
The adverse weather conditions in the early months of 2024 played a negative role in Irish milk production. Grass growth was lower than the five-year average during the first three quarters of the year, due to heavy rainfall. A positive change in weather conditions in the autumn led to an improvement in both grass production and milk production.
Ireland milk price
The tight milk supply and the price of butter, among other things, have led to an increase in milk prices in Europe. In Ireland, the price was initially reduced in the first quarter, followed by a slight increase in the second quarter and a stronger increase during the third quarter. In October 2024, the milk price in Ireland had even increased the most in the EU compared to the previous year, according to Numbers of the European Commission. The calculated Irish milk price climbed above €60 per 100 kilos.