Irish milk could leave our shops

A shortage of Irish milk on the supermarket shelves during the winter months could become a reality unless liquid producers receive a viable price for their product, IFA President Joe Healy has warned.

He was speaking at the launch of the IFA Milk Wise 2025 strategy pointing out that 90% of Ireland’s dairy farmers produce milk on a seasonal basis for commodities, mainly for export.

“Fresh milk for the supermarket shelf is produced 365 days a year by 1,800 specialists among our 18,000 dairy farmers. Traditionally, there has been a price premium for farmers who milk all year round, but their margin has been eroded in recent years,” said Joe Healy.

The IFA President said the pressures on supplies could be exacerbated by the Brexit process so a strong strategy would be needed to keep local milk – that is valued by Irish consumers – on supermarket shelves.

“Article 50 was triggered last week, which will start the formal process of Britain leaving the EU. 26% of milk on supermarket shelves comes from Northern Ireland. The IFA strategy identifies the challenges and provides solutions which can secure locally-produced, high-quality fresh milk year round, while nurturing this valuable €530m market,” said Joe Healy.

IFA National Liquid Milk Chairman John Finn from Oranmore said that ‘cut-throat competition’ between supermarkets and retailers had eroded margins for liquid milk producers to unsustainable levels.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.