Dairygold Co-Operative Society Limited is an Irish dairyco-operative based in Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland. With its catchment area mostly in the Golden Vale, Dairygold processes an annual volume of approximately 1.4 billion liters of grass fedpastureland milk, making it Ireland's largest dairy co-operative and the island's second largest milk supplier. Formed after the 1989 merger of the Mitchelstown and Ballyclough co-ops, by 2018 it had 7000 shareholder members and reported an operating profit of €29 million from a turnover of €993 million. It has c. 1200 employees, lead by CEO Jim Woulfe and CFO Michael Harte. Dairygold is divided into three operating divisions; Dairy Ingredients, Agri, and its retail network of shops across the Munster region. Its main dairy products are rennet casein, demineralised whey for the Infant formula and protein powders markets, skim milk, whole milk, and fat enriched milk powders, as well as bulk cheddar & specialty cheeses. Dairygold exports to over 50 countries and has production facilities in Ireland and the UK, as well as sales offices in Germany, Spain and China.
History
Up to 1989, the Mitchelstown Co-Operative Agricultural Society Ltd, had been Ireland's largest co-operative for over fifty years. This farmers "co-op" was founded in 1919 under the leadership of local farmer Con O'Brien of Killickane, who chaired the co-op for its first 40 years and then became honorary life president until his death in 1968. Between 1919 and 1989, Mitchelstown Co-op Creameries became the largest and most important dairy processing business in the island of Ireland. It became famous nationally for its processed cheese brands but was better known in overseas dairy industry circles for the high quality and large variety of its natural cheeses which were extensively exported around Europe and for which it earned many international prizes. Cork's two largest dairy co-operatives, Mitchelstown and Ballyclough, merged in 1989 as Dairygold, instantly becoming Ireland's largest dairy co-operative, a position it has since held. In 2006 Breeo Foods, a subsidiary of Dairygold, was acquired by Kerry Group for €140 million. This included, among other brands, the Dairygold butter and butter spread others included Country Pride and Golden Pasture, the Galtee, Shaws and Roscreacooked meats, Sno Yogurts, Sno Desserts, Sno Cottage Cheese, CMP Dairies milk, cream and juices drink ranges and various own brands; the former of which continues to be sold by Kerry Group for the major supermarkets.
Operations
The society has c. 1,200 employees, 3,000 milk suppliers and over 7,000 shareholders, with offices in Ireland, the UK, Barcelona, Mainz and Shanghai. Finished dairy products as well as raw feed ingredients such as butter, cheese and milk powder account for 70% of Dairygold's annual revenue. The Agribusiness section, which produces animal feed and fertilizers, accounts for the remaining 30%. Dairygold distributes products through its network of 39 stores located across Munster, under the Co-Op Store and Co-Op Superstore retail brands.
