Fears over North milk imports

GROWING imports from the North are posing serious concerns for the stability and viability of the liquid milk sector in the Republic, the National Milk Agency (NMA) has warned.

The NMA, the regulatory body for the supply of milk for liquid consumption in the State, reports that the share of the domestic liquid milk market sourced from indigenous supplies fell to 83% last year.

This was due to market penetration by growing volumes of imports from the North, particularly of bulk milk for processing. Total milk imports for liquid consumption increased by 8% and amounted to 93 million litres (20.5 million gallons). A total of 59% was for processing and 41% was packaged liquid milk.