Irish dairy co-operative Ornua published its financial results for the 12 months ending 27th December 2025, reporting a group turnover of €3.5 billion.
Group earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) reached €171.4 million, a 3.6% rise on the year. Ornua’s operating profit rose by 4.7% to reach €136.6 million.
Ornua claimed that central to this “positive” performance was the ability of its teams to successfully navigate a challenging global trading environment, including renewed tariff pressures in the US.
The co-operative’s Kerrygold brand surpassed a $1 billion retail sales milestone in the US for the first time, while Ornua said that Kerrygold had continued to hold “market-leading positions” in international markets. In Ireland and Germany, it was the number one butter brand, and the number two block butter brand in the UK market.
Ornua said that global dairy markets had experienced “fluctuating supply levels” and shifting demand patterns, while at home, processors and producers felt the impact of this “volatility”, in addition to uncertainty around regulatory developments and unpredictable weather conditions. As a result, Ornua’s priority will be to support its long-term viability through value creation.
Despite “significant” commodity market volatility, Ornua’s Value-Add business reportedly delivered a year of solid progress, with strong demand for customised cheese solutions from food manufacturing and quick service restaurant (QSR) customers across the US, Europe and Middle East.
Ornua posts “resilient set of results”
Conor Galvin, CEO of Ornua, said: “I am pleased to report a solid performance from the business in 2025, a complex year in which we delivered continued growth across key metrics despite challenging global market conditions. Group turnover was marginally up at €3.5 billion, while EBITDA and operating profit, pre Ornua Value Payment, also increased, representing a resilient set of results against a backdrop of volatility in global dairy markets.
“Ornua purchased over €1.8 billion in premium Irish dairy from our Member Co-operatives, providing a consistent and profitable route-to-market, while delivering on our core purpose of creating value for Irish farm families. Purchases were further supported by an Ornua Value Payment of €74.3 million paid to members for product supplied in 2025.
“Kerrygold strengthened its position as a leading global dairy brand, reaching more households in 2025 than ever before and surpassing the $1 billion retail sales milestone in the United States for the first time. 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.
“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.”
