Why was the National Milk Agency established?

The Milk Agency was established in 1994 to regulate the supply of milk for liquid consumption throughout the State. There are approximately 1,800 producers registered with the National Milk Agency.

What is the consumer trend for liquid milk consumption in Ireland?

Liquid milk consumption has increased from 577m litres in 2007 to an estimated 590m litres in 2016, or an increase of 2.3 % over the last 10 years.

What percentage of liquid milk is now via own label brands?

It is now estimated that over 64% of milk sales in retail outlets is sold as own label.

What is the average retail price of liquid milk in Ireland?

The national average price of low fat milk in one-litre packs as reported by CSO in 2016 was 105c/litre, while two-litre packs of whole milk were an average of 171c/2l (85.5c/l). The profile of product sales in 2016 was estimated at whole milk at about 59%, while low fat and skimmed milk account for 41% of sales.

Is the intense competition in the liquid milk sector forcing consumer prices down?

There is considerable competition at retail level for fresh milk. This is intensified by the presence of imports in the market and also by the increasing presence of own-label milk. Periodically, there has been the use of milk as a key value indicator and short-term sizeable reductions in the retail price of milk to increase footfall.

What volume of liquid milk consumed in Ireland is imported?

The National Milk Agency estimates that about 143m litres of milk is imported into Ireland in consumer packs and in bulk for processing for liquid consumption.

Are alternative milks such as almond milk or soya milk a threat to the industry?

The Irish consumer values fresh milk as a product. Fresh milk continues to hold a central place with Irish consumers in their dietary and purchasing profile. As such, alternative products like almond and soy milk will be limited in their impact. The National Dairy Council provides an extensive marketing service for the dairy industry, including liquid milk, to offset the rise of these alternatives.

Where do you see the future for liquid milk producers in this country?

Liquid milk producers, under the Milk (Regulation of Supply) Act 1994, are statutorily required to receive compensation for the economic cost of winter milk production. The domestic market for fresh milk is set to remain stable, given the commitment of consumers to the importance of fresh milk as a product and will continue to have a bright future.