Kerrygold-owner Ornua reports €130m profit and strong US sales as tariff threat looms

Dairy giant sells 12 million retail packs of Kerrygold butter and cheese each week

Ornua's key brand  Kerrygold saw robust US sales last year.

Kerrygold owner Ornua reported a 12% rise in operating profit last year to €130.5m as turnover remained flat at €3.4bn.

The company said it purchased €2bn in premium products from Irish farmers last year and made premium payments of €72.8m to farmers.

In the US, where it faces a major threat of tariffs, its Kerrygold brand continued to experience volume sales growth, further strengthening its position as the number two branded butter in the world’s largest consumer market. Kerrygold reached a record number of US households in the year, supported by the introduction of a new 1lb butter block, representing a category first in the market.

Kerrygold Park, where butter products are made, had a record year in terms of output following its first full operational year after the completion of a major expansion project in 2023. In the UK, Kerrygold ended the year as the number two block butter brand and the fastest-growing brand in the category.

Conor Galvin, Ornua Chief Executive Officer.

"Following a complex year, we are now entering a period of much uncertainty driven by ongoing global trade tensions," CEO Conor Galvin said. "The exact impact of these challenges remains to be seen, however, we are confident in the strength of Irish dairy which is a unique and sought-after proposition on the world stage."