This is the second month in a row that Irish milk supply fell below last year’s level, after a 3.5% drop in September.

Ireland follows the international trend, with the UK leading the production slump in the EU as the Milk Production Reduction Scheme takes hold. New Zealand, too, has been cutting output after a year of low prices and difficult weather conditions. Among major producers, only the US continues to power ahead with increasing supply.

The high numbers of cows being slaughtered in recent months indicate that milk supply is likely to drop further. According to CSO figures, while the overall Irish cattle kill was up by 9.3% and 4.5% year-on-year in September and October, these numbers were 31.2% and 18.3% respectively for cows. Similar high cow kills are reported in Italy and Denmark.

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