The dairy products group recorded turnover of €3,450.3m last year, an improvement of 1.6% year-on-year, as it purchased over €1.8m worth of product from its member co-operatives, who grappled with fluctuating supply levels and shifting demand patterns during the year.
Ornua paid its co-operatives a combined €74.3m in premiums and bonuses and provided them with €481.5m in working capital facilities in 2024
Group EBITDA (+3.6%) and operating profit (+4.7%) rose to €171.4m and €136.6m, respectively, while net assets declined marginally (-0.4%) to €779m.
During the year, Ornua shipped over 14,000 containers of Irish dairy products, and the group surpassed $1bn in US retail sales for the first time despite tariff pressures as global milk supply expanded 2.5%, more strongly than expected.
"Higher EU-27 yields, supported by favorable conditions early in the year and improved farm margins, drove increased production of cheese, butter, and skim milk powder," Ornua said.
"While global dairy demand remained generally firm, momentum softened through the summer as European retail growth slowed, exports eased, and foodservice demand lagged. With supply outpacing demand, dairy commodity availability increased, and prices fell sharply towards the end of 2025."
Kerrygold remains the number one butter brand in Ireland and Germany, number two in the US, and the number two block butter brand in the UK.
Kerrygold.
Conor Galvin, CEO of Ornua, described the group's performance as "solid" and 2025 as "a complex year in which we delivered continued growth across key metrics despite challenging global market conditions."
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Net debt jumped 89.4% from €86.1m to €163.1m, and Galvin also described the results as "resilient" and "against a backdrop of volatility in global dairy markets."
"The brand's continued success demonstrates the world-class quality of Irish grass-fed milk, the strength of Ornua's talented global team and network, and the capabilities of our Irish dairy processors and farm families who work tirelessly to bring quality, desired, and trusted food to tables around the world," he continued.
"In 2025, we introduced a new growth strategy for the business, guiding our ambitions for the next five years. We will continue to focus on world-class commercial execution, enabled by everyday operational excellence, to meet the needs of a growing number of consumers globally."
Looking ahead, Ornnua recognizes global challenges, shifting consumer expectations, and technological change, and it has introduced a new strategic growth plan to guide the business to 2030.
"Although the near‑term outlook remains uncertain amid geopolitical tensions, trade disruption, and energy market volatility, Ornua’s clear strategy, ambitious leadership team, and unified global structure position the co‑operative to deliver sustainable growth in 2026," the group said.
* This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.
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