Domestic Milk Intake by milk processors and co-ops was estimated at 818.2 million litres in March 2025, an increase of 61.0 million litres (+8.1%) when compared with March 2024 and up 16.7 million litres (+2.1%) when compared with the same month in 2023.
Fat content for March 2025 was 4.34%, down from 4.40% in March 2024. Protein content rose to 3.38% in March 2025, compared with 3.25% a year earlier.
Butter production fell from 25,400 tonnes in March 2024 to 23,800 tonnes in March 2025, down 1,500 tonnes.
Skim Milk Powder increased from 8,700 tonnes in March 2024 to 9,200 tonnes in March 2025, up 500 tonnes.
In Quarter 1 (Q1) 2025, Domestic Milk Intake was estimated at 1.31 billion litres, up 50.9 million litres (+4.0%) when compared with the same period in 2024, but down 54.4 million litres (-4.0%) when compared with 2023.
Looking back on 50 years of Domestic Milk Intake data from March 1975 to March 2025 (see Figure 2), we can see that Domestic Milk Intake has more than quadrupled over this period, increasing from 193.3 million litres in March 1975 to 818.2 million litres in March 2025.
Since the January 2025 release, the format of the Milk Statistics release has been updated. The main tables and associated PxStat tables remain the same, but the Statistician’s Comment is included at the end of the quarter only.
The quarterly releases may provide additional charts and tables.
As this is a new approach for CSO Statistical Releases, we welcome feedback on the initiative from users of the release. Please contact us with your comments by email to [email protected]
Up-to-date trends of monthly Domestic Milk Intake for 2023, 2024 and 2025 can be seen in Figure 1.
Table 1 presents analysis of month versus month comparisons of the current year and previous year's Domestic Milk Intake.
| X-axis label | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 180.4 | 148.5 | 162.5 |
| Feb | 381 | 351.9 | 327.8 |
| Mar | 801.4 | 757.2 | 818.2 |
| Apr | 1028 | 952 | |
| May | 1159 | 1107.4 | |
| June | 1045.5 | 1031.2 | |
| Jul | 1014.5 | 972.4 | |
| Aug | 909.1 | 887.2 | |
| Sep | 763.7 | 767.7 | |
| Oct | 588.7 | 673.1 | |
| Nov | 381.7 | 512.3 | |
| Dec | 205.3 | 267.6 |
Table 2 summarises the monthly collection of milk and production of milk products.
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Statistician's Comment
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (07 May 2025) published Milk Statistics for March 2025.
Commenting on the release, Stephanie Kelleher, Statistician in the Agriculture Section of the CSO, said: “Today’s figures show that the Domestic Milk Intake in March 2025 by milk processors and co-ops rose by 61.0 million litres, or 8.1%, compared with the same month in 2024. Butter production fell from 25,400 tonnes in March 2024 to 23,800 tonnes in March 2025, down 1,500 tonnes, while Skim Milk Powder was up from 8,700 tonnes in March 2024 to 9,200 tonnes in March 2025, up 500 tonnes.
Looking at Q1 2025, Domestic Milk Intake was at 1.31 billion litres, a rise of 4.0% compared with the corresponding value between January and March 2024. When compared with Q1 2023, Domestic Milk Intake was down 54.4 million litres (-4.0%). Quarterly Butter production dropped from 39,200 tonnes in Quarter 1 2024 to 38,600 tonnes in Quarter 1 2025, down 600 tonnes (-1.5%).
50 Years of Domestic Milk Intake Data
Analysing 50 years of Domestic Milk Intake data we created a new chart (Figure 2), which shows Domestic Milk Intake each March from 1975 to 2025. We can see that Domestic Milk Intake more than quadrupled over this period increasing from 193.3 million litres in March 1975 to 818.2 million litres in March 2025.
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 March 1975, 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. The highest figure for the month of March was in 2021 at 829.7 million litres."