The National Milk Agency’s 2025 report showed that the number of farmers in liquid milk production fell by another 9% last year.
The number of milk supply contracts registered in 2024/2025 decreased to 1,094 contracts, a decrease of 102 contracts from the previous year.
The number of year-round contracts (AYR) decreased by 100 to 979, while the number of winter contracts decreased by 2 to 115.
The report shows that since the agency was established in 1995, the number of liquid milk producers has declined by 67%.
“The agency notes with concern the continuing decline in the number of registered producers,” the report said.
In 2024/25, milk purchased by manufacturers at contract prices was 4% higher than its sales, compared to 13% higher the previous year.
Liquid milk
In 2024/2025, annual supplies to registered producers increased by 12% to 866 million liters, compared to 768 million liters in 2023/2024.
In the five scheduled winter months from October 2025 to February 2026, total milk supplies to registered producers amounted to 278 million litres.
This is an increase of 16 million liters over the same period in 2024/2025.
milk last year Imports The fresh milk market from Northern Ireland amounted to 150 million litres.
This included an estimated 99 million liters of packaged milk imports and 51 million liters of bulk raw milk imported to be processed for liquid consumption in the state.
The report stated that these imports had a market share of 27%.
The Irish domestic fresh milk market will be worth €640 million in 2025.
The national average retail price for fresh milk in all package sizes was 117 cents per liter in 2025, the same as the previous year.
National consumption of fresh milk last year amounted to 547 million liters, a decrease of 17 million liters, or 3%, compared to 2024.
Despite this, Irish consumers still have one of the highest annual per capita consumption of fresh milk in the world, at up to 100 litres.
In the Irish fresh milk market, it is estimated that approximately 70% of fresh milk sales in retail outlets are now sold under “own label” according to industry sources.
Private label sales in 2-litre packs retailed at an estimated average discount of 15% on processor brands, the same as in 2024.
an agency
In 2025, the milk tax income of the National Milk Agency amounted to €638,896, an increase of €186,920 on the previous year.
Under the legislation, a tax of 0.115 cents (0.155 cents as of 1 October 2025) is payable for each liter of milk purchased, processed and subsequently sold for liquid consumption by dairy processors.
During the year, the Agency received €145,730 in respect of milk tax arrears based on milk supplies that had not previously been returned by the manufacturer.
At the end of the year, the Agency’s accumulated funding amounted to €834,001 (2024: €724,641).
Salaries, social insurance and pension contributions for the agency’s five employees amounted to €383,587 in 2025.
Dr Muiris Ó Céidigh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Milk Agency, had a salary of €106,329 and a pension contribution of €17,725 in 2025.
The agency’s running costs totaled €152,830 last year, down from €165,116 in 2024.
Jackie Cahill He was appointed head of the National Milk Agency in April, succeeding Denis Murphy who had held the position since 1994.
