Dairy Road Map 2030
An overview of Ireland’s dairy sector, outlining current performance, market outlook, sustainability priorities, and future targets was published recently as part of the Teagasc Road map Series for 2030.
The dairy sector is currently the largest and most specialised sector of Irish Agriculture. It provides income for over 17,000 dairy farm families who generally farm on a full time basis.
Milk accounts for approximately 40% of total agricultural output value (€4.5 billion from circa 8.9 billion litres of milk in 2025). Over 90% of milk output is exported with exports for 2025 valued at €7.3 billion (Bord Bia Report).
Overall the sector faces significant challenges in the areas of price and income volatility, generational renewal and the increasing cost of environmental compliance.
Medium term prospects for the Irish dairy industry remain positive where demand for grass-fed dairy products continues to grow. Ensuring dairy farming is an attractive and appealing career is essential to the long-term resilience of the sector. Successful dairy farming will continue to be key to the development of future vibrant rural economies.
On a recent episode of the Dairy Edge Podcast Emer Kennedy, Dairy Enterprise leader, Teagasc Moorepark and Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge transfer, join James Dunne to discuss the Teagasc Dairy Roadmap 2030. listen in to the episode below.