Increase in dairy consumption for Sligo under-35s during lockdown

ALMOST 40% of Sligo consumers under 35 have increased their dairy (milk, cheese and yoghurt) consumption since the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown, as families and households have sought nutritional value, local natural produce and assurance of quality during uncertain times. While 91% of Irish consumers still think we can prevent all or most of the catastrophic consequences of climate change, when it comes to making food purchasing decisions, price [46%], nutritional value [34%] and healthiness [31%] trump carbon footprint [10%] and sustainable packaging [19%] concerns. These are some of the key findings of new consumer research of over 2,000 Irish adults released today by the European Milk Forum, as part of its “Sustainable Dairy in Europe” campaign to gain a better understanding of consumers’ perceptions of sustainability, climate change and the challenges they pose in relation to the dairy sector.

Zoe Kavanagh, Chief Executive of the National Dairy Council and spokesperson for the European Milk Forum in Ireland, said the research demonstrated that Irish consumers value dairy products as well as our indigenous dairy industry.

“In these unprecedented times, it is heartening to know consumers are seeking out dairy products because they know they can rely on their natural nutritional value and they can be assured of the quality of locally produced Irish dairy. Our research shows that almost four in ten [39%] consumers under 35 have increased their consumption of milk, cheese and yoghurt during the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Ms Kavanagh.

“On top of this, almost all consumers [88%] say that Irish dairy produce is superior to other countries produce and [82%] want the Irish dairy sector to be successful and supported into the future.”

“The survey also tells us that an overwhelming majority [96%] believe in climate change, believe that we can prevent all or the most serious consequences of climate change [91%], and that the responsibility to create this more sustainable future needs a collaborative effort which should be shared principally between the production industry [57%], consumers [49%] and politicians [49%]. But with only two in of five consumers [42%] feeling well-informed about sustainability, it is clear there is a lot of work to be done.”