Dairy

Dairy Industry Ireland (DII) represents the interests of Ireland’s primary and secondary dairy processors, including the specialised nutrition sector, through a comprehensive information and advice service, and representation at national, EU and international level.

DII also engages in the policy and regulation formation process to ensure that industry competitiveness is enhanced.

Industry overview

The dairy industry is a key component of the economy on the island providing much needed employment spread across rural areas.
The industry processes approximately 7 billion litres of milk per annum, supplied by 18,000 family farms, many of whom are owners of the primary business.
Since the abolition of quotas, Ireland is on the road to becoming a global leader in the development of a high value environmentally sustainable dairy industry based on our extensive grass-based dairy system. Irish dairy companies have invested hundreds of millions of euro towards this goal resulting in over €4 billion in dairy products, ingredients and nutritional exports per annum.
Irish dairy is exported to 155+ markets world wide with international markets beyond the EU becoming increasingly important. In 2017 these international markets are projected to take over 50% of Irish dairy exports for the first time.
Irish primary dairies continue to be 100% Irish owned entities, and the quality of our produce is reflected in the fact that 3 of the world's major specialised nutrition companies have chosen to base key secondary processing sites in Ireland.