Ireland returns to bottom of European milk price table in September

FrieslandCampina was the best paying milk processor in Europe, according to the ranking. File photo

Ireland has returned to last place in Europe in the EDF-ZuivelNL International Milk Price Comparison for September.

However, Kerry Agribusiness, Dairygold, and Tirlán have more middle-of-the-road rankings for average price over the past 12 months.

The comparison looks at the price paid for milk by 16 milk processors across Europe, and at prices in Switzerland, New Zealand and the USA.

The average September price at the 16 processors was 2.6% lower than in August, but 1.8% higher than in the same month of 2024. Prices were calculated to have slipped most in Belgium, Ireland, and the UK.

Compared to a September average at the 16 processors of €48.60 per 100kg (standardised to 4.2% fat and 3.4% protein, VAT excluded), the price calculated for Tirlán was €41.28, €41.97 at Dairygold, and €43.76 at Kerry Agribusiness.

The best-paying of the 16 processors in September was FrieslandCampina, based in the Netherlands, at €53.78.

The average price over the past 12 months ranged from €54.58 at DMK Deutsches Milchkontor eG in Germany to €47.36 at Danone (Pas de Calais) in France. It was €49.37 at Tirlán, €49.15 at Dairygold, and €48.85 at Kerry Agribusiness.

Switzerland continues to have one of the highest milk prices in the world, with suppliers to Emmi getting €77.85 in September, and a €72.80 average over the past 12 months.

Fonterra in New Zealand paid €38.11 in September, and a €41.28 average over the past 12 months. The price of Class 3 milk (the standard needed for cheesemaking) in the USA was €37.33 in September, and a €43.17 average over the past 12 months.

Milk supply

According to the EDF-ZuivelNL International Milk Price Comparison for September, strong growth in supply has led to lower prices. The EU milk supply increased 3.5% in August, after gaining 1% rise in July. 

Volumes in Belgium (up 6%) and Germany (up 2%) grew after months of decline. France recorded accelerated growth of 4%. Strong increases continued in Ireland (up 7%) and Poland (up 5%). The Dutch milk supply increased sharply again in September, by 6.7%.

This upward trend started in July, due to favourable weather, high milk prices, and the reduced impact of bluetongue. This viral livestock disease had an additional effect, namely the shifting of the calving period by several months, which has reinforced milk production growth. 

But Dutch production up to and including September was only 0.5% higher than last year.

The cumulative EU milk supply increased by 0.6% up to August, adjusted for the leap year effect. Globally, the milk volumes of major dairy exporters (including the EU) are calculated at 1.8% higher than in 2024 up to and including August.