According to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), that figure of 1,164.4 million litres represents a 1.4 per cent drop, or 16.6 million litres, when compared with May 2021. Fat content rose from 3.95 per cent in May 2022 to 3.96 per cent in May 2023, while protein content fell from 3.45 per cent to 3.4 per cent over the same period. Butter production increased by 1,100 tonnes, from 32,000 tonnes in May 2022 to 33,100 tonnes in May 2023. Skim milk powder production fell by 6.4 per cent from 28,300 tonnes in May 2022 to 26,400 tonnes in May 2023. And domestic milk intake for the period January to May 2023 was estimated at 3,555.3 million litres, a decline of 24.6 million litres, or 0.7%, when compared with the corresponding period for 2022.