An analysis by the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) has predicted revenue losses for the dairy sector in counties Laois and Offaly.
The ICMSA analysis reveals that overall, when the revenue losses are combined for each county, there will be a loss of over €2 billion to the rural economy.
The analysis used an average milk price of 59cpl for 2022 and an expected average price of 37cpl for 2023 with production expected to fall by 2% year on year given the weather and price conditions prevailing at present.
According to the ICMSA this means that ‘almost 38% of dairy revenues have been wiped away in the space of 12 months and this analysis does not include the very severe cost elements facing dairy farmers, meaning that dairy farm incomes will be severely hit in 2023.’
Independent TD for Laois-Offaly, Carol Nolan, has described the expected losses as ‘apocalyptic and profoundly stark.’
“What this data reveals is an absolute state of emergency within the Irish dairy sector,” said Deputy Nolan.
“In Offaly the losses in milk revenue for 2023 when compared to 2022 are in the order of a staggering €46.5 million, while the losses for Laois are even more troubling coming in at €64.6 million.”
“I wholeheartedly agree with the call that the ICMSA have made for the Minister for Agriculture to convene a meeting of the Dairy Forum so that a clear strategy can be put in place.”
“From the evidence presented today it is clear that our once thriving dairy sector is in a state of freefall. We must initiate actions to stop it from collapsing entirely.”
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