Irish milk price trends in 2026 mirror those seen across Europe, with the average milk price for April across the bloc now recording its tenth consecutive decline.
This is according to data from ZuivelNL, a Dutch dairy organization that tracks milk prices offered by major European cooperatives and milk buyers.
Before price cuts began in June 2025, that year began with prices rising after year-end record highs in 2024.
The chart below tracks how the price of milk rises through 2024, and stays high through 2025, before starting to fall in the second half of the year.
Current milk prices for 2026 are still below 2024 levels, but above the 2020-2023 average.
Average milk price until April 2026.
on the one hand Irish pricesBase prices began to fall from an average of 48.63 cents per liter in June 2025 to an average of 34.3 cents per liter by December 2025.
In the latest Ireland Milk Price Tracker report, milk prices have remained relatively stable for a year April supplieswithout any direct interruption from any processors.
The price increase means the average base price for April was 37.24 cents per litre.
Base price
The milk price in the ZuivelNL report is calculated based on the following milk parameters per 100 kg of milk:
- 4.2% fat
- 3.4% protein;
- TBC 24,999/ml;
- SCC 249,999/ml.
VAT is excluded from the calculation.
According to the report, the average European benchmark milk price for April was 39.76 euros per 100 kg of milk solids.
This was down marginally from the March average by €0.72 per 100kg milk solids or 1.08%.
However, the average price decreased from April 2025 prices by approximately 21%, or -0.1042 EUR/1 kg milk solids.
Compare milk prices April 2026
As for the Irish co-operatives included in the report, they all offered prices in April that were below the European average.
Terlan It offered €36.97 per 100kg of milk, while Dairygold paid €36.26 per 100kg of milk.
Kerry Agribusiness had a base price of €36.81 per 100kg of milk, but this includes an additional €2.79 per 100kg on top of the base milk price during the first three months of this year. This supplement is included in the price of fat and protein.
Across Europe, Finland’s Valio received the highest payout with a base price of €43.11 per 100kg.
The cooperative reduced its price by €3.40 (about €0.034/litre) as of March, after 10 months of stability.
Caspa Foods saw the biggest reduction at €7.44/100kg (€0.0744/1kg). The monthly surcharge on the price of milk has also been halved (from €7.77 per 100kg to €3.88 per 100kg of milk).
This reduction came in response to market conditions and was expected, according to the report.
The €0.60 for animal welfare per 100 kg of milk has not yet been paid in the calculated milk price.
Milk supplies
EU milk supplies jumped by 4.5% in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, with Poland and Western Europe the driving forces behind this. Ireland saw a slight increase in collections of 1.6% over 2025 levels.
Global supplies rose in the first quarter as well. New Zealand saw significant increases in supply of 9.7%. Australia saw a 2.8% rise and Argentina saw a 7.9% increase in supply.
Uruguay saw the highest jump of 11.3%.
When all global export supplies are combined, total milk supplies rise by 4.1% in the first quarter of 2025.
The price of milk is linked to global dairy trade, according to the report.
She said butter fell to €400 per tonne in the first half of May but has now stabilized and made a slight recovery.
At global dairy trade auctions over the past six months, butter prices have fallen to… 4,360 euros per metric ton (metric ton) In December before it rebounded to €5,975/metric ton by March.
Butter experienced another slump in May, falling to… 4,722 euros/metric ton But it showed increasing signs of recovery 4,924 euros/metric ton On June 2.
