Dairy farm incomes have taken a hit of between €31,000 and €38,000 in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025, depending on the co-op supplied, analysis from the IFA shows.
Following June milk price announcements, the IFA dairy committee reviewed farm revenues for the first half of 2026 from 12 dairy processors for a typical spring calving farm supplying 500,000 litres of milk per year as seen in figure one.
Carbery co-ops had the highest milk prices, paying €4,000 more to its suppliers than its nearest competitors Dairygold and Aurivo.
Private milk purchaser Strathroy sat in the middle with just over €35,000 less paid to suppliers in the first half of 2026, followed by Tirlán, ArraTipp, Kinisla, Lakeland Dairies, with North Cork Creameries at the bottom with a loss of over €37,500.
Stark figures
“These figures are stark and show how big a cashflow impact the fall in milk price is having on dairy farms. What is even more concerning is it represents only half of the year,” IFA dairy chairman Martin McElearney said.
“With half the year gone, we are seeing differences in milk revenues of approximately €10,000 between the top and the bottom of the table. This difference is too great to be ignored.
“Co-ops should be looking to top the table rather than what we see as the quiet acceptance among processors that the West Cork co-ops own this spot.”
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