The dairy sector is warning that the impact of Covid-19 could result in milk prices being paid to farmers falling by as much as 20% this year.
It said this would cost the economy the equivalent of 11,000 jobs. A report commissioned by Dairy Industry Ireland, which represents primary and secondary dairy processors, said that urgent measures were needed to support the dairy industry.
Covid-19 restrictions across Europe have meant the virtual closure of the food service industry, which is costing the sector hundreds of millions in exports.
The EY report commissioned by Dairy Industry Ireland finds that milk prices could fall by as much as 20%, which would reduce the dairy output here by more than €2bn this year. Read:Latest coronavirus stories