Domestic milk intake in June highest in 50 years at 1.08 billion litres

This June's milk figure is the highest one for June in the last 50 years, CSO data shows

Fat and protein content in milk both increased in June 2025 when compared to last year's figures within the same time period.

The domestic milk intake is an estimated 1.08 billion litres in June 2025.

According to the Central Statistics Office's most recent report, this 1.08 billion litres is an increase is 50.4 million litres (4.9%) when compared to June 2024 figures, and an increase of 36.2 million litres (3.5%) when compared to the same month in 2023.

Following the natural production curve, this month's intake was less than May, which saw 1.18 billion litres processed, but remains ahead of April’s figure of 1.07 billion litres processed.

Fat content in June 2025 was 4.06%, an increase from the previous year's reading of 4.01% in the same period. Protein also increased in 2025 compared to 2024, with this June reading at 3.45% in protein and last year obtaining a figure of 3.43%.

Skim milk powder has increased by 5,000 tonnes in June 2025. June 2024 saw a skim milk powder of 18,400 tonnes, which has increased to 23,300 tonnes this year.

Commenting on the release, CSO statistician in the agriculture section  Stephanie Kelleher, said: “Looking at quarter 2 (Q2) 2025, domestic milk intake was at 3.34 billion litres, a rise of 8.1% compared with the corresponding value between April and June 2024. When compared with Q2 2023, domestic milk intake was up 107.0 million litres (+3.3%).” 

From the period January to June 2025, domestic milk intake was estimated at 4.65 billion litres, a rise of 303.5 million litres (7%) when compared to the same period in 2024 and by 56.3 million litres (1.2%) when compared with 2023.

The CSO has also compiled data on the last 50 years of domestic milk intake data from June 1975 to June 2025 and found the intake has more than doubled over this period. In June 1975, 494.4 million litres were processed compared to June 2025’s figure of 1.08 billion litres. June's 2025 milk figure (1.08 billion litres) is the highest recorded figure for June over the last 50 years.

Regarding the 50-year analysis, Ms Kelleher said: “It is also interesting to note the impact of the introduction and abolition of the milk quota on our milk production. Total domestic milk intake rose steadily from June 1975, apart from 1980 and 1981, until the introduction of the European milk quota in April 1984. The quota was abolished in April 2015, and we can see that domestic milk intake increased again.”