Over 200 Dairygold members attended the society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday (Tuesday, April 29) at the Clayton Silver Springs Hotel in Cork city, where they heard that milk production in the catchment area has increased this year.

The meeting provided a detailed report on the society’s 2024 performance and its planned initiatives for 2025.

Dairygold has said that the AGM also facilitated an "engaging and constructive" discussion between members and Dairygold management on a range of topics.

In relation to its 2024 financial performance, Dairygold recorded an operating profit that increased from €13.2 million to €37.1 million, on a €1.4 billion turnover, which the co-op said further strengthens its balance sheet.

It stated that operational highlights for the year included the continued growth and integration of the high-margin Vita Actives business, the conclusion of important capital investment projects, the completion of a Milk Census with 'Agreed Census Actions', and the evolution of the Grassroots Programme.

Speaking at the AGM, Dairygold chairperson Pat Clancy said: “I’m delighted to see such a strong attendance at the AGM and to hear from members on a range of topics.

“It’s important that our members understand and support the significant programme of initiatives planned for 2025, to drive business performance.

"Chief among these initiatives is a Business Optimisation Programme, targeting €14 million in annual cost savings from 2027 onwards, 50% of which will be delivered in 2025," he added.

The Dairygold chair added that 2025 is shaping up to be a good year with favourable weather now driving increased milk production across the co-op's catchment area, currently up in excess of 10% on the same period in 2024.

"We expect a very strong peak milk period in Dairygold over the coming weeks. This will require total commitment from our milk supply chain and milk processing teams to deliver maximum return for our milk suppliers," he concluded.