Milk production fell in April – CSO

Fat content has increased on last year, while protein has dropped slightly compared with 2025.

Niamh Murphy

Fri 5 June 2026 12:00 AM

Niamh Murphy

Fri 5 June 2026 1:30 PM

Skimmed milk powder and butter production have increased on last year, according to the CSO.

Domestic milk intake by milk processors and co-ops was down 37.1m litres in April 2026, a decrease of 3.5% compared with April 2025, according to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures.

However, when compared with April 2024, milk intake in 2026 was up 85.4m litres (9%).

Fat content for April of this year was up on last year at 4.24%, while protein dropped slightly from 3.47% to 3.46% in the 12 months.

Butter production in April 2026 was 32,700t, up from 31,800t on last year.

Skimmed milk powder rose from 20,500t last year to 21,100t in April 2026.

Looking at January to April 2026, domestic milk intake was down 6m litres (0.3%) on the same period in 2025, but up 171.1m litres (7.7%) compared with 2024.