There is no rise forecast for milk prices in the first six months of 2026 based on current buyer behaviour, according to Ornua CEO Conor Galvin.

However, there is “some sense” that market prices will improve in the second half of the year, Galvin added on Wednesday at the launch of Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects report for 2025.

Tuesday’s positive Global Dairy Trade auction points to a potential correction of the balance between supply and demand.

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“From a dairy point of view we have to keep differentiating ourselves. If we are constantly exposed to only commodity prices we will get that volatility,” said Galvin.

“There used to be a rule of thumb in dairy where you’d a good year, a bad year and two average years. Now, you have a good month, a bad month then two bad months.

“We have to try eliminate that volatility – we only do that by what makes us different and what makes us compelling.”