Teagasc launches Dairy Roadmap 2030, outlining strategic priorities for the future of Ireland’s dairy sector.
Ireland’s dairy industry has released a comprehensive overview under the Teagasc Roadmap Series 2030, highlighting its current performance, future outlook, sustainability focus, and long-term goals.
Dairy remains the most significant and specialised segment of Irish agriculture. More than 17,000 farm families rely on dairy production as their primary, full-time source of income, underlining its importance to rural livelihoods.
Milk production represents roughly 40% of Ireland’s total agricultural output value. In 2025, approximately 8.9 billion litres of milk generated an estimated €4.5 billion in output value. Export markets continue to play a crucial role, with over 90% of Irish milk production sold internationally. Dairy exports were valued at around €7.3 billion in 2025, reflecting the sector’s strong global presence.
Despite its solid performance, the industry is navigating several challenges. These include fluctuations in milk prices and farm incomes, the need to attract and support the next generation of dairy farmers, and rising costs associated with meeting environmental and regulatory standards.
Looking ahead, the medium-term outlook remains encouraging. Global demand for grass-fed dairy products is expected to continue expanding, providing growth opportunities for Irish producers. Strengthening the appeal of dairy farming as a sustainable and rewarding career will be critical to ensuring long-term resilience. A successful dairy sector will remain central to supporting vibrant rural communities and regional economic development.
In a recent episode of the Dairy Edge podcast, Emer Kennedy, Dairy Enterprise Leader at Teagasc Moorepark, and Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, joined host James Dunne to discuss the Dairy Roadmap 2030 and the strategic direction for the sector.