Milk processors and co-ops took in an estimated 1.16 billion litres in May, the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show.

This is a decrease of 1.6%, or 19.1m litres, compared with May 2025. However, the milk intake was up 5.1%, by 56.9m litres, when compared with the same month in 2024.

Year-to-date

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For the period January to May 2026, domestic milk intake was estimated at 3.55 billion litres. This was a drop of 0.7%, 25m litres, when compared with the same period in 2025, but up almost 7% by 228.1m litres when compared with January to May 2024.

Fat and protein both rose on 2025 figures, with fat rising to 4.10% in May 2026, compared with 3.98% in 2025, and protein up from 3.47% to 3.51% in the 12 months to May 2026.

Butter production in May 2026 was 35,900t, up from 34,400t in May 2025.