Ornua, the owner of Kerrygold, has announced a €40 million development at Kerrygold Park, its flagship butter production facility in Mitchelstown, County Cork.
According to Ornua, the investment will underpin Kerrygold’s plans to become Ireland’s first €2 billion food brand and support “the growing global demand” for Kerrygold.
The investment in the facility has seen Kerrygold Park’s total cream processing capacity grow significantly, enabling increased production of up to 80,000 tonnes of butter per year, which equates to over one million packs per day.
The development at the Mitchelstown facility was officially opened by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD, who was joined by Enterprise Ireland executive director, Jenny Melia, and Ornua co-operative chair Aidan O’Driscoll.
As a result of the investment in Kerrygold Park, which has received funding support through Enterprise Ireland, Ornua has stated it has also expanded its direct employment at the facility by 20%. The 30 new jobs bring Ornua’s total Kerrygold Park workforce to 180.
Growing the brand
Commenting on the announcement, Minister Charlie McConalogue TD said: “Today’s announcement represents a very significant milestone in the long and successful Kerrygold story, and indeed, the story of Irish dairy. Irish dairy farming families work tirelessly to produce the world-class milk which makes Kerrygold a world-famous dairy brand.
“This strategic investment, which was part financed by the Government’s Capital Investment Scheme for the Agri Food processing sector, will help to ensure Kerrygold has the world-leading processing capabilities needed to continue to grow the brand and generate value for the community of Irish dairy farming families which it represents.
“I’d like to extend my congratulations to Ornua, its member co-operatives, and the entire team at Kerrygold Park and wish them continued future success.”
Aidan O’Driscoll, Ornua co-operative chair, said: “For the past 60 years, Kerrygold has proudly brought the unique taste of Irish grass-fed dairy to the world on behalf of Ornua’s member co-operatives and the 14,000 dairy farming families they represent.
“We are collectively proud of the success the brand has achieved internationally, including in major markets such as the U.S. where Kerrygold is the second largest butter brand. We are also passionate about growing the brand’s global status further and focused on safeguarding the value it returns to the Irish dairy sector through the premiumisation of Irish dairy.
“Our strategic development of Kerrygold Park is central to this ambition and will support the next phase of growth for Kerrygold on its journey to become Ireland’s first €2 billion food brand.”
