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Dairy Product Production in Ireland - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Jonas Kao Jonas Kao London, United Kingdom Last Updated: November 2024 SIC C10.500IE

Revenue

€6.9bn

2024

€5.9bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

8,811

Businesses

145

Wages

€XXX.Xm

Dairy Product Production in Ireland industry analysis

The Dairy Product Production industry is a crucial component of the economy of the Republic of Ireland. According to data from the CSO, the industry processed 8.5 billion litres of milk in 2023. Revenue has benefitted from stable dairy product sales and growing export revenue. Farm gate milk prices, the primary production input, directly influence industry revenue. Recent fluctuations in global milk supply have created volatility in domestic milk prices. As a result of a global milk shortage, dairy prices soared in the years through 2022, boosting revenue growth. Revenue is expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 11.2% over the five years through 2024 to €5.9 billion, despite an estimated drop of 15.5% in 2024 caused by a dip in prices.

Trends and Insights

  • Irish exports to Asia and Africa have surged. This has given industry revenue a spring in its step, particularly as these continents’ demands for dairy soar.
  • New research shows that butter is vital in a healthy diet. This new discovery is a breakthrough for the dairy industry, as butter previously had a bad press for being unhealthy. It has encouraged consumers to up their butter consumption.
  • Dairy farms are concentrated in the South West and South East. Where businesses set up shop is dictated by the distribution of dairy farms to cut transport costs. The South West and South East are popular for dairy cattle farming.
  • Small players are pushed out by the industry’s big guns. The biggest players in the industry thrive on aggressive buying tactics which smaller players don’t have access to. This often forces them out of the industry.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 11.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €6.9bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Strong export volumes benefit revenue growth

  • Ireland produces a surplus of dairy products and the majority of revenue is derived from exports, especially to the UK. Rising international dairy consumption has contributed to strong export and revenue growth in the last few years.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Dairy Product Production in Ireland
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Demand for healthier dairy products will dominate the market

  • Free-range and organic dairy products will continue to rise in popularity in the coming years as ethical production concerns grow among consumers.

Biggest companies in the Dairy Product Production in Ireland

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue (€m)
2023

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Dairy Product Production in Ireland industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Dairy Product Production in Ireland
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Liquid milk, Cheese and Butter. Liquid milk is the largest segment of the Dairy Product Production in Ireland.

Trends and Insights

Research on the health benefits of butter benefits sales

  • Butter is made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk consisting of butterfat, water and milk proteins.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Operators in this industry manufacture dairy products such as liquid milk, cream, butter, yogurt, cheese and dry, condensed and evaporated milk. Operators supply these goods to a variety of market segments such as retailers, wholesale and food services. Producers of dairy products such as ice cream and frozen yogurt are also included in the industry.

What's included in this industry?

ButterCheeseMilkCaseinYoghurtIce creamButtermilk, whey, soured creams and lactose

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

PASTEURISATIONSUSTAINABLE DAIRY ASSURANCE SCHEMEFARM-GATE PRICE

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 10.5 - Dairy Product Production in Ireland

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Irish exports to Asia and Africa have surged. This has given industry revenue a spring in its step, particularly as these continents’ demands for dairy soar.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

New research shows that butter is vital in a healthy diet. This new discovery is a breakthrough for the dairy industry, as butter previously had a bad press for being unhealt...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Dairy farms are concentrated in the South West and South East. Where businesses set up shop is dictated by the distribution of dairy farms to cut transport costs. The South W...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Small players are pushed out by the industry’s big guns. The biggest players in the industry thrive on aggressive buying tactics which smaller players don’t have access to. T...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Multiple acquisitions have fortified Lakeland Dairies’ position. Over the past few years, they’ve acquired multiple companies that have helped take their business from streng...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Health consciousness causes shifts in demand for dairy products. Since dairy products can contain high levels of fat, sugar and cream, they’re often viewed as unhealthy. This...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Purchases make up the bulk of industry costs. Changes to milk prices influence purchase costs. Things like the pandemic and Brexit have made prices even more volatile.

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Dairy Product Production industry in Ireland in 2024?

    The market size of the Dairy Product Production industry in Ireland is €6.9bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Dairy Product Production in Ireland industry in 2024?

    There are 145 businesses in the Dairy Product Production industry in Ireland, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Dairy Product Production industry in Ireland grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Dairy Product Production industry in Ireland has been growing at a CAGR of 11.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Dairy Product Production industry in Ireland over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Dairy Product Production industry in Ireland is expected to decline.

    What does the Dairy Product Production in Ireland include?

    Butter and Cheese are part of the Dairy Product Production industry.

    How competitive is the Dairy Product Production industry in Ireland?

    The level of competition is high and increasing in the Dairy Product Production industry in Ireland.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    View all industries in Ireland

    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

    IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in Ireland include:

    • Central Statistics Office
    • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • Irish Tax & Customs

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

    Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.