February 2026 milk intake up 6%

An estimated domestic milk intake of 347.4 million litres was reported by the Central Statistics Office for February 2026

Total milk sold for human consumption totalled 39.1 million litres in February 2026, an increase from 36.2 million litres sold in February 2025. File picture

The domestic milk intake by milk processors rose by 6% in February 2026 when compared to the previous year's figures.

The latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) report found that milk processors' and co-ops' domestic milk intake was estimated at 347.4 million litres in February 2026, an increase of 19.6 million litres, or 6%, when compared to February 2025.

Domestic milk intake was down by 4.5 million litres, or 1.3%, when compared to the same month in 2024.

For the period January to February 2026, domestic milk intake was estimated at 516.7 million litres, a rise of 26.5 million litres, or 5.4%, when compared with the same period in 2025 and up 16.4 million litres (3.3%) when compared with 2024.

Fat and protein content both rose in February 2026. Fat content was reported as 4.55% in February 2026, up from the 2025 figure of 4.47% in the same month. Protein content increased from 3.51% in 2025 to 3.53% in the 12 months to February 2026.

Butter production for February 2026 matched the 2025 figure of 8,500 tonnes. Total milk sold for human consumption totalled 39.1 million litres in February 2026, an increase from 36.2 million litres sold in February 2025.

From the total 39.1 million litres sold for human consumption in February, 22.8 million litres were whole milk sales and 16.3 million litres consisted of skimmed and semi-skimmed milk.