Tirlán focused on value-add growth and innovation to win new markets

The Tirlán Co-operative Society Limited (“Tirlán Co-op”) AGM saw a strong turn-out in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny on 7^th May, 2025, as Members heard about the significant progress made across 2024. 

At the AGM Tirlán Chairperson John Murphy emphasised the supports provided by Tirlán to Members throughout spring 2024 to assist during difficult weather conditions. 

“Tirlán is focused on supporting our Members. Our Co-op was in a position to offer a €30 million package to support our Members through the difficult weather conditions during spring. As the year progressed, weather conditions, supply and commodity markets improved and we had a strong end to the year. The grain harvest also turned out better than expected, despite the late sowing. Both yields and quality for cereals was good, with 50% of our cereals receiving a premium payment,” he said. 

“In addition to our payments for milk and grain, we are constantly looking for ways to support our suppliers, with the recent launch of a programme to support those impacted by TB on farm.”

2024 performance highlights 

Despite severe weather challenges in the first half of the year, Tirlán delivered revenue of €2.66 billion in 2024, a 5% year-on-year increase. Core net debt was down €17 million to €138 million, the lowest in over a decade. 

The new €220 million Kilkenny Cheese joint venture facility with Royal A-ware expanded the Co-op’s value-add product mix with over 40,000 tonnes of continental cheese produced in 2024. 

There was ongoing progress in enhancing the Co-op’s farmer Representative Structure, with investment in education and encouraging greater diversity.

Dividends

In 2024, Members received share interest (dividend) payments totalling €7.1 million. At the AGM, Members voted in favour of a 10% increase in the Co-op Dividend for 2025 to 23.06 cent per share which will be worth €7.7 million. This will be paid directly to Co-op Member bank accounts in June. 

A number of amendments to the Rules of the Society were approved at the Special General Meeting, which also took place. 

Share Trading 

John Murphy said the Co-op was planning to offer the opportunity for Share Trading later in 2025, similar to the successful Share Trading programmes held between 2010 and 2018. 

“It is important we provide opportunities to facilitate movement of shares into the next generation of farmers and our active Members. We will inform Members of details of the Share Trading process at a later date,” he said. 

Outlook 

At his first AGM since being appointed CEO of Tirlán, Seán Molloy highlighted the continued focus on enhancing water quality and to importance of Ireland retaining a Nitrates Derogation that is “fit for purpose”. 

Significant engagement is continuing on-farm in enhancing water quality through the collaborative Farming for Water: River Slaney Project in a year that is key for the retention of the Nitrates Derogation,” he said. 

On the business performance, Seán Molloy highlighted there was a rigorous ongoing focus on cost efficiency. “Our business is focused on controlling costs every single day and we are constantly looking to new technologies and ways of working to ensure we process every litre of milk or tonne of grain in the most efficient fashion. 

“At the same time, we are focused on adding value to our high quality ingredients and our skilled workforce to innovate and maximise returns. We continue to invest in our assets, with an enhancement in whey processing facilities planned for Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny, to leverage the global demand for protein and over €16 million invested in our Tirlán FarmLife and CountryLife branch network. 

“We are also continuing to analyse and assess opportunities for investment to deliver long term benefits for our Members.”