Potential EU sheep milk supply gap but Ireland has 'limited' ability to fill it

Agriland

31-07-2025

EU sheep milk production is expected to decline by 8% by 2030, and with relatively stable demand for it, there is a potential supply gap emerging, according to Bord Bia.
However, Ireland's ability to maximise on these opportunities is "limited by our current scale of production and export capability", Bord Bia told Agriland.
Seamus McMenamin, Bord Bia sheepmeat and livestock sector manager, said that sheep milk is a "very niche product, and Ireland has little or no history in sheep milk production".
It is estimated that there are 1,000 milking ewes nationally, producing 285,000 litres in Ireland.
"The majority of sheep milk processed in Ireland is destined for the production of farmhouse cheese and yoghurt," McMenamin said.
"Over 95% of this output is consumed domestically, with small volumes exported to the UK and continental Europe.
"The Mediterranean region accounts for 14% of world sheep population, and approximately 46% of world sheep milk production."
EU sheep milk production is expected to decline by 8% by 2030, Bord Bia said, mainly due to ageing farmers, climate pressures, and profitability issues in Greece, France, and Italy.
Bord Bia added that it is "committed to supporting exporters seeking to explore opportunities in export markets that may arise".
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) told Agriland it isn't "directly funding sheep milk production research".
However, it has or is currently funding sheep production research across other areas, "including genetics, nutrition, wool, general management under grazing conditions, various health and welfare aspects, and environmental issues", a DAFM spokesperson said.
"DAFM supports research and innovation to enable the agri-food and forest sector deliver greater efficiency, sustainability and the development of a strong bioeconomy," the spokesperson said.
"It has a variety of funding instruments with which to do this and these are aligned with important policy, legislative and other issues, challenges and trends facing the sector.
"The department's research funding is focused on public-good research which reflects the priorities outlined in key documents such as the programme for government, Food Vision 2030, the department's Statement of Strategy, and other high-level national and EU policies.
"The scientific specification of the calls reflects these documents."
Funding is awarded through competitive open calls for proposals, and only eligible public research performing organisations can receive such funding.
DAFM said that the Irish sheep industry is predominantly focused on meat production, with only a "very small percentage" of milking sheep, which are mainly focused on local sheep milk cheese production.
"While there are no schemes directly aimed at supporting sheep milk producers, there are a range of schemes which they can avail of under the CAP Strategic Plan including the ACRES and organics schemes," the spokesperson said.
"The department provides significant support to the sheep sector under the EU co-funded Sheep Improvement Scheme and through the exchequer-funded 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme."
In addition, under TAMS, sheep farmers can apply for capital investment grants for sheep fencing and specific housing investments, sheep handling equipment, EID tag readers and lambing cameras for sheep.
"Sheep milk farmers can also apply for capital investment grants for milking machines, water heaters, bulk milk tanks and other dairy investments," DAFM said.
"The department has also recently developed a framework approval process for the recognition of producer organisations in both the sheep and dairy sectors. There is associated funding available under the Early Stage Support for Producer Organisations Scheme."