Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

Production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Ireland grew consistently from 353.8 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a high of 436.9 thousand tonnes in 2022, before a modest reduction to 427.6 thousand tonnes in 2023. Over this period, the domestic market volume demonstrated notable swings, beginning at 222.6 thousand tonnes in 2018, decreasing to 198.7 thousand tonnes in 2020, then recovering to 245.9 thousand tonnes in 2022.

A major shift occurred in trade flows. Exports expanded strongly, rising from 184.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 280.2 thousand tonnes in 2023, although they fell back to 187.6 thousand tonnes in 2024. Concurrently, imports declined sharply after 2019, dropping from 59.6 thousand tonnes that year to 18.7 thousand tonnes by 2024, significantly reducing the volume of imported product available locally.

The sharp contraction in domestic market volume to 166.7 thousand tonnes in 2023 was directly driven by the record level of exports that year, which more than offset stable production and dwindling imports. This trend indicates a growing outward orientation for Ireland's output of these dairy products during the latter part of the period.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Ireland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Ireland ranked as the 18th largest producer of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

Ireland's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 393 K t, marking a gradual 4.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 25.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Ireland

Exports in kind, K t

Ireland's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 236.3 K t, showing a slight 2.6% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 45.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Ireland's exports in volume were distributed across a diverse range of partners. The Netherlands accounted for 24.3% of exports, the United Kingdom for 11.3%, and Nigeria for 7.3%, together making up 42.9% of total flows. The remaining 57.1% was spread among numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream exports from Ireland rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 643.2 M $ US, a 12.1% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 53.1%, with an average annual rate of 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland's exports in value terms were spread across many markets. The Netherlands represented 23.6% of export value, the United Kingdom 10.8%, and Nigeria 8.0%, collectively accounting for 42.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2017-2020

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Ireland

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Ireland's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream declined. In 2020, imports totaled 42.3 K t, down 29.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 17.6%, with an annualized decrease of 6.3%. The peak was in 2019 at 59.6 K t, which saw the largest increase of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom led Ireland's import structure in volume, with 59.7% of imports, followed by Germany at 17.3% and Denmark at 8.1%. Together, these three countries represented 85.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Ireland's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 103.4 M $ US, up 3.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 28%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the largest supplier of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Ireland in value terms, accounting for 36.4% of imports. Germany followed with 25.4%, and Denmark with 11.8%, together making up 73.6% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2017-2020