Kerrygold enjoys record year in US with 17% rise in year-on-year sales

PRELIMINARY sales data indicates that 2011 is likely to have been a record year for the Kerrygold brand in the US with year-on-year sales up 17% on a constant currency basis.

Kerrygold is the principal brand of the Irish Dairy Board (IDB), the dairy sector promotional body which in 2010 reported €850m as the figure for total international exports out of its Irish operation. The IDB’s annual report is expected to reveal international sales up 19%.

Commenting on the progress achieved in the US market in 2011, IDB chief executive Kevin Lane said: “As Irish dairy output is forecasted to grow by 50% by 2020 under the government-backed Food Harvest 2020 report, it is vital that the Kerrygold brand — as one of Ireland’s most iconic international food brands — continues to provide a premium route to market for Irish dairy products. Innovation and continued geographic expansion are core elements of the IDB’s ambitious international growth strategy and further investment in these areas is a priority for 2012.”