€2bn turnover prediction points to brighter future for dairy industry

THE €2 billion turnover Irish Dairy Board (IDB) predicted yesterday shows there is light ahead for the dairy industry.

It follows a difficult year with low commodity prices, currency difficulties, particularly in the Sterling area, global economic turmoil and a generally weaker demand for dairy products.

IDB chairman Michael Cronin told the chairmen of the country’s dairy co-ops and manufacturing centres at a briefing in Dublin that agri-food remains Ireland’s most important indigenous industry in terms of economic activity and impact.