Skim milk and whey powder production in Ireland
In 2023 Ireland produced 167,200 t of skim milk and whey powder, the 7th largest in the world (3.55% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 242%. The record was 195,000 t in 1990.
- Production, 2023
- 167,200 t
- World rank
- 7 of 58
- 10-year change
- +242%
- Record
- 195,000 t
- 1990
Skim milk and whey powder in Ireland, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Ireland compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 3.5%
- 1.4% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +242%
- world +33%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | France | 293,670 | 6.2% |
| 6 | Belgium | 181,930 | 3.9% |
| 7 | Ireland | 167,200 | 3.5% |
| 8 | Poland | 159,200 | 3.4% |
| 9 | Australia | 143,406 | 3.0% |
Map of world production of skim milk and whey powder
Share of the world total; Ireland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 167,200 | −3.7% |
| 2022 | 173,700 | +18% |
| 2021 | 147,700 | −1.6% |
| 2020 | 150,100 | +5.3% |
| 2019 | 142,500 | +6.5% |
| 2018 | 133,800 | +12% |
| 2017 | 119,800 | +2.0% |
| 2016 | 117,400 | +90% |
| 2015 | 61,780 | −12% |
| 2014 | 70,600 | +44% |
| 2013 | 48,900 | −6.5% |
| 2012 | 52,300 | −21% |
| 2011 | 66,500 | +10% |
| 2010 | 60,300 | −11% |
| 2009 | 67,400 | +31% |
| 2008 | 51,600 | −38% |
| 2007 | 82,600 | +21% |
| 2006 | 68,500 | +23% |
| 2005 | 55,900 | −15% |
| 2004 | 65,900 | −16% |
| 2003 | 78,500 | −19% |
| 2002 | 97,200 | +13% |
| 2001 | 86,300 | +9.5% |
| 2000 | 78,800 | −6.6% |
| 1999 | 84,400 | −7.2% |
| 1998 | 90,900 | −11% |
| 1997 | 101,600 | −15% |
| 1996 | 119,000 | +3.7% |
| 1995 | 114,800 | −11% |
| 1994 | 129,300 | −1.7% |
| 1993 | 131,600 | +4.4% |
| 1992 | 126,000 | −31% |
| 1991 | 183,000 | −6.2% |
| 1990 | 195,000 | +39% |
| 1989 | 140,400 | +40% |
| 1988 | 100,200 | −22% |
| 1987 | 129,000 | −17% |
| 1986 | 155,625 | −3.4% |
| 1985 | 161,029 | −13% |
| 1984 | 184,312 | +5.9% |
| 1983 | 174,000 | +18% |
| 1982 | 148,000 | +9.3% |
| 1981 | 135,400 | −0.4% |
| 1980 | 135,966 | −7.9% |
| 1979 | 147,586 | −13% |
| 1978 | 169,500 | +17% |
| 1977 | 144,539 | −12% |
| 1976 | 164,000 | +21% |
| 1975 | 135,000 | +32% |
| 1974 | 102,000 | −1.7% |
| 1973 | 103,800 | +57% |
| 1972 | 66,000 | +40% |
| 1971 | 47,000 | +38% |
| 1970 | 34,000 | −11% |
| 1969 | 38,400 | +32% |
| 1968 | 29,000 | −6.5% |
| 1967 | 31,000 | +24% |
| 1966 | 25,000 | +127% |
| 1965 | 11,000 | +10% |
| 1964 | 10,000 | +150% |
| 1963 | 4,000 | −20% |
| 1962 | 5,000 | −17% |
| 1961 | 6,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 151,838 t USD 433 m
- Exporter rank
- 8 of 110
- Imports
- 13,314 t USD 42.0 m
- Importer rank
- 37 of 192
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of skim milk and whey powder in Ireland?
Ireland produced 167,200 t in 2023, 3.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Ireland rank in the world for production of skim milk and whey powder?
Ireland ranked 7th of 58 countries in 2023. The largest producer was United States with 24.7% of the world total.
How has the production of skim milk and whey powder in Ireland changed?
It rose by 242% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +33% for the world. The record was 195,000 t in 1990.
Does Ireland export or import skim milk and whey powder?
In 2024 Ireland reported exports of 151,838 t (USD 433 m) and imports of 13,314 t (USD 42.0 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.