Eva OsborneA fall in the number of farmers, and an increase in demand, has led to an increase in dairy prices. Two litres of full-fat milk is 3c more expensive in shops, while Irish cheddar cheese is up 9c per kilo. President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, said fewer farmers, coupled with population growth, is leading to higher prices for consumers. The fall in overall agricultural entrepreneurial income was 49 per cent (-€2 billion) to €2.1 billion in 2023, according to the Central Statistics Office. The value of milk decreased by 30 per cent (-€1.5 billion) to €3.5 billion driven by prices being 26 per cent lower and volumes contracting by five per cent.

Source: The Herald November 08, 2024 22:34 UTC