IFA Meets with Ornua and Tirlán on US Butter Market

IFA President Francie Gorman has emphasised the importance of ensuring that the Kerrygold brand is not weakened by other Irish butter suppliers in international markets.

“Kerrygold is the number one Irish food brand and has delivered handsomely for Irish dairy farmers since its establishment in the early 1960’s,” he said.

IFA met senior management of both Ornua and Tirlán over the past week to discuss recent developments in the US Butter market and the decision by Tirlán to supply private label butter to a large US retailer.

“The priority here has to be Irish dairy farmers. The vast majority of Irish farmers supply Ornua, both Tirlán and non-Tirlán suppliers. The return to these farmers cannot be undermined. We cannot allow a race to the bottom that ultimately destroys the margin being returned in farmers milk cheques,” Francie Gorman continued.

IFA National Dairy Chair Martin McElearney also highlighted the current margin pressure that the sector is current experiencing.

“Irish dairy farmers are grappling with a depressed milk price, escalating costs and severe drought conditions in many parts of the country. There is an onus on all stakeholders in the dairy sector to work together to maximise the financial return from dairy markets for these farmers, particularly given that many dairy farmers are now likely to be operating below the cost of production in 2026.”