Domestic milk intake by milk processors and co-ops jumped year on year by 6.9 million litres to an estimated 169.4 million litres in January.

According to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) fat content for January 2026 was 4.63% - up from 4.51% in January 2025.

Protein content also increased from 3.58% to 3.65% in the same period.

According to Stephanie Kelleher, statistician in the agriculture section of the CSO domestic milk intake last year by milk processors and co-ops was the "highest ever recorded".

Domestic milk intake in 2025 was estimated to be 8.84 billion litres which represented an increase of 406.8 million litres when compared with 2024, and up 376.8 million litres when compared with 2023.

Milk prices

Although domestic milk intake has been on an upward trajectory in Ireland the same cannot be said about milk prices in recent months.

According to new research by Rabobank dairy farmers in general in Europe are "under significant pressure" because of weak milk and dairy product prices.

Milk prices had remained high until November last year.

But abundant milk globally in general has had a "pronounced impact" on dairy prices according to Rabobank's latest Global Dairy Quarterly report.

Analysts found that fat markets have been hit the hardest, with prices falling by more than 40% from September to February.

However whole milk powder (WMP) prices have also seen a sharp decline by around 30% over the same period.

Meanwhile protein markets - including skimmed milk powder (SMP), cheese, and whey - have shown to be more resilient, although some prices have also fallen by around 15%.

Whey prices have continued to rise boosted by a universal demand for high-protein products.

Rabobank analysts also highlighted that margin pressure is building, particularly in Ireland where they said "milk prices are already among the lowest in Europe, despite winter bonuses".