A new report on the value of the dairy industry in Ireland last year shows it had an economic impact of €17.6bn and supported 54,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The report was compiled by Ernst and Young on behalf of Dairy Industry Ireland, the Ibec body which represents dairy processors in this country.
It finds the industry had a direct output of €7bn, but other related economic activity brought the total impact to €17.6bn.
Dairy farmers were paid €5.2bn in 2022, a year that saw milk prices rise to record levels.
Aside from nearly 17,000 dairy farmers, the report shows the dairy processing industry provided direct employment to 5,651people in Ireland, mainly based in rural areas, with another 2,500 people employed abroad.
It also notes that over the next five years, processors expect to invest about €192m in climate action and sustainability initiatives in order to achieve a 35% reduction in emissions by 2030.
The report says that the average herd size in Ireland last year was 90 cows, but that is expected to grow to 100 by 2030, by which time milk production is forecast to reach 9.2 billion litres, up from 8.7 billion last year.
The number of dairy farmers is forecast to decline by 3%.
Dairy Industry Ireland represents primary and secondary dairy processors, including the specialised nutrition sector in Ireland.
Meanwhile, a newly published report from the Environmental Protection Agency finds a majority of people support a reduction in the size of the national cattle herd in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The report, based on the views of 4,000 adults surveyed by telephone, found 30% strongly supported reducing cattle numbers and 34% "somewhat support" the idea.
Around 17% strongly opposed reducing the herd size and 19% "somewhat opposed" the idea.
The report, Climate Change in the Irish Mind, was conducted earlier this year and focused on the beliefs, attitudes and policy preferences of participants.
Regarding the planting of more forests to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the study found 92% of people somewhat or strongly supported the idea.
