Milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The Irish market for milk with fat content between 1% and 6% saw a significant transformation in export volumes from 2018 to 2024, with exports surging from 32.5 thousand tonnes to 418.7 thousand tonnes. This growth was particularly pronounced in 2024, consolidating Ireland's position as a rapidly growing milk exporter. This expansion was supported by increased production and export capacity, alongside rising global consumer demand for healthy, high-protein, and organic dairy products which bolstered overseas sales.

Domestic market volume, calculated as production plus imports minus exports, reached 953.5 thousand tonnes in 2023 after a dip in the previous year. Imports, which had been declining until 2021, resumed growth to reach 725.7 thousand tonnes by 2024. In value terms, the market grew to 559.7 million USD in 2024, influenced by broader EU dairy market trends such as higher butter prices affecting component valuation and overall product pricing.

Internal milk intake in Ireland remained relatively stable with a slight decrease noted in 2024, indicating steady domestic processing volumes. The market operated without major shifts in national legislation, labeling, or policy for this product category during the period, allowing its development to align with global trends where consumer preference for clean-label and organic dairy continued to support export-oriented growth.

Production milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% in Ireland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2018, Ireland's output of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% was valued at 238.1 million US dollars, representing a sharp decline of 36.2% compared to 2017.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% from Ireland

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 32.5 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 162.3 thousand tonnes, a fivefold difference. In 2020, foreign supplies of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% from Ireland saw a significant increase of 11.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 13.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 349.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the primary market for Ireland's milk with a fat content between 1% and 6%, accounting for 89.4% of total exports in kind, with other destinations making up a smaller share.

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their minimum in 2018 at 26.7 million US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 70.7 million US dollars, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.6 times. In 2020, Ireland's exports of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% marked a moderate increase of 6.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 5.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 148.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom remained the leading buyer of Ireland's milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% in value terms, representing 83.0% of total exports, with the remainder distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% to Ireland

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% into Ireland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 615.4 thousand tonnes, down by 3.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 11.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 758.0 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 8.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom dominated imports in kind of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% to Ireland, consistently accounting for 99.8% of total 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

Imports of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% into Ireland declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 229.6 million US dollars, showing a slight reduction of 1.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 14.2%, equating to an annualized rate of -5.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 299.7 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 21.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for imports in value terms was extremely narrow, with the United Kingdom alone responsible for 99.4% of total flows.

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

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