Cream of the crop
Strong consumer loyalty, nutritional value and innovation continue to drive Ireland’s resilient dairy category in 2026. Ryan Brennan reports
Print20 March 2026
Ireland’s dairy sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, with strong consumer demand and ongoing product innovation keeping the category highly relevant on retail shelves. Long regarded as a staple of Irish households, dairy remains central to the nation’s food culture, with shoppers increasingly recognising the value of locally produced milk and dairy products that combine natural nutrition with trusted provenance. As retailers respond to changing consumer preferences, the category is evolving beyond traditional offerings, with a growing focus on quality, functionality and added value.
According to Conor Mulvihill, director of Dairy Industry Ireland, the sector continues to perform strongly despite wider economic pressures. “The category remains incredibly resilient,” he says. “As we move through 2026, we’re seeing a shift to natural quality. Consumers aren’t just buying milk; they are buying into a native, natural nutritional powerhouse.”
Innovation is also playing a key role in sustaining shopper engagement. High-protein variants and functional dairy products supporting gut health and immunity are gaining traction, while full-fat options are also seeing renewed interest. Irish shoppers, Mulvihill notes, remain strongly loyal to local brands, recognising that Ireland’s grass-based production system delivers a taste and natural nutrient profile that is widely regarded as world-class.
At the same time, sustainability remains firmly on the agenda across the sector. Initiatives such as AgNav and Farming for Water are helping to strengthen the industry’s Origin Green credentials, demonstrating how environmental stewardship and economic viability can progress together as the industry continues its transition toward a more value-added future.
Avonmore continues to lead through dairy innovation
Avonmore range
As Ireland’s No. 1 dairy brand, Avonmore is a trusted part of everyday life, enjoyed daily in households across the country. Its longstanding success is built on a commitment to exceptional quality, a deep understanding of consumers, and a passion for continuous innovation.
For 60 years, families nationwide have relied on Avonmore’s dairy expertise across Milk, Cream, Butter, and our Fresh Soup range. Its portfolio continues to grow, led by standout products such as Avonmore Protein Milk, Avonmore Protein Soup, Avonmore Super Milk, and Avonmore Whipped Cream.
Its range of fortified milks provides meaningful nutritional benefits for every life stage. Products like Avonmore Protein Milk and Avonmore Super Milk make it easy for consumers to incorporate essential nutrients – including protein, vitamin D, and folic acid – into their everyday diet.
Avonmore Super Milk plays a vital role within the fresh milk category. Because Ireland’s northerly latitude means it gets limited sunshine throughout the year, many people don’t get enough vitamin D. From young children to older adults, vitamin D is essential for maintaining bone health and supporting the immune system. Avonmore Super Milk is enriched with vitamin D, along with vitamins B & E, extra calcium, and folic acid – making it a smart, nutritious choice for the whole family.
In 2025, Avonmore Protein Milk expanded its portfolio with the launch of Avonmore Protein Coffee, giving consumers the added benefit of a caffeine boost alongside their protein intake.
Earlier this year, Avonmore Protein Milk also introduced a new creative campaign, “For Every Move,” positioning the product as an everyday essential rather than just a post-workout option.
The campaign reframes protein’s role by moving beyond the category’s traditional association with gym culture and elite athletic performance. Instead, it champions protein as a support for movement in all its forms – from commuting and working to play, daily routines, and everything in between.
Another rising star within our Protein portfolio is Avonmore Protein Soup, a flavoursome high protein (16-19g per serving) range of soups perfect as a satisfying snack, at lunch or in the evening.
Avonmore Cream continues to perform well and is the No. 1 branded cream in the market. Its extensive range of pouring cream, whipped cream, and cooking cream offers consumers a cream to suit many cooking and baking recipes.
With such a diverse and innovative portfolio, it’s clear why Avonmore remains a staple in the households of Ireland.
Strong consumer loyalty, nutritional value and innovation continue to drive Ireland’s resilient dairy category in 2026. Ryan Brennan reports
Fa-Yeh for a reason
FAGE Total 0% Fage Total 5%
FAGE has led yoghurt category growth by driving a significant increase in consumer demand.
It continues to invest in the FAGE brand for the long term through inspirational content and exciting sponsorships, such as its partnerships with global Tennis tournaments.
Its latest innovation, FAGE Fruits, has seen strong double-digit growth while it has focused on recipe inspiration to become a staple in consumers fridges. Tapping into ‘high protein’ and ‘natural’ trends, its FAGE Total range perfectly fits consumers’ wellness needs as a natural strained yoghurt. Fa-Yeh!
Killowen Farm Protein range
The trademark provides shoppers with assurance of Irish provenance
FAGE Total 0% FAGE Total 5%
Killowen Farm: Good natured yoghurt
Killowen Farm Protein range
At Killowen Farm, keep things simple, honest and real. It takes milk from its grass-fed cows and turns it into joyously good, creamy yoghurt that tastes like it should – no tricks, no shortcuts. This morning’s milk becomes this afternoon’s yoghurt. Because it believes that nature’s way is the best.
Established in 2003, Killowen Farm is a family business based in Courtnacuddy, Co. Wexford. Renowned for its creamy taste, Killowen Farm yoghurt combines the freshest milk from the Dunne family’s own dairy herd with the highest quality fruit, sourced from local growers. The combination of thick creamy yoghurt produced from rich Irish milk, with the freshest local strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and rhubarb, creates an ‘outstanding’ taste experience that has been recognised with numerous taste awards, including Great Taste and Blas na hÉireann.
With no artificial flavourings, preservatives or additives added, the simple live cultures in its yoghurts are gut-friendly, helping to provide a natural boost to the digestive and immune system.
Known primarily for its range of award-winning premium layered and stirred fruit yoghurts, the brand has recently expanded its yoghurt portfolio with the launch of two new ranges targeted at on-the-go convenience and snacking. Its new Protein Yoghurt with Granola range is available in three variants – Lemon Curd, Chocolate & Orange and Raspberry (190g); while its Overnight Oats range includes Apple & Cinnamon, Strawberry & Vanilla and Raspberry variants (190g). These convenient, nutritious snacks combine delicious Killowen Farm yoghurt with a crunchy, wholesome granola toppings and each pot includes a spoon. Targeted at health-conscious shoppers seeking balanced, functional food options without compromising on taste, these two new ranges are available nationwide from March 2026.
Killowen Farm is a proud member of Love Irish Food and a Gold Status Member of Origin Green.
Killowen Farm – Good Natured.
The NDC Guarantee: Helping shoppers choose Irish dairy with confidence
Backed by Irish dairy farmers, the National Dairy Council (NDC) Guarantee (trademark) is the only independent accreditation system for Irish dairy products, appearing only on those that meet strict eligibility criteria.
Supported by a comprehensive auditing system and clear on-pack identification, the NDC Guarantee certifies milk and cream that are farmed and processed in the Republic of Ireland. The trademark provides shoppers with assurance of Irish provenance, while helping retailers highlight verified Irish-produced products on the shelf.
NDC research from 2025 shows very high recognition of the trademark, with more than 80% of consumers indicating higher trust in dairy products that carry the mark. It enhances shopper confidence, informs purchase decisions, and adds value for retailers.
Irish dairy farmers are central to this system. Ireland’s pasture-based production model, where cows graze on grass for much of the year, underpins the country’s reputation for premium dairy products. Through initiatives such as the NDC Farmer Ambassador Programme and the annual NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, the NDC highlights the care and practices that support this approach.
Co-operatives eligible to include the NDC Guarantee meet the most stringent, independently verified quality standards at their processing facilities, while the farms they source from must be signed up to the Bord Bia Sustainable Quality Assurance Scheme (SDAS). Together, this gives shoppers confidence that the milk they choose is local, high quality, and sourced from farms committed to increasingly sustainable practices.
By continuing to share the story behind Irish milk production through evidence-based messaging, the NDC ensures the NDC Guarantee remains a recognisable sign of Irish origin and a valuable point of assurance for both shoppers and retailers.
Biotiful: The UK’s number one Kefir brand
Biotiful Gut Health Kefir Drink
As consumers become increasingly aware of the link between Gut Health and overall well-being, there exists a rising demand for food and drink products that not only deliver functional benefits and great taste but also support overall health. Biotiful Gut Health is at the forefront of this shift and are on a mission to make natural Gut Health accessible to everyone, with their range of naturally delicious Kefir products.
Having pioneered the UK Kefir category 10 years ago, Biotiful Kefir has grown into a trusted staple for millions of consumers and is now recognised as the number one brand in the UK Kefir category. Biotiful Kefir is made with natural ingredients, packed with billions of live cultures and crafted with high quality milk to support Gut Health and immunity, in a naturally delicious way.
From its award-winning Kefir Drinks to its Spoonable Kefir Yogurts, Biotiful Gut Health has a wide range of delicious products that are relevant for a wide range of occasions and consumers. Whether enjoyed on the go, as part of a balanced breakfast, or as a nourishing snack, each product delivers a perfect blend of great taste and Gut Health.
As the functional dairy category grows through premiumisation, innovation and health-driven choices, Biotiful Gut Health is proud to play a role in shaping the next chapter by championing natural Gut Health that helps consumers to feel their best every day.
Yoplait SKYR establishes itself as key player in Irish Dairy Yogurt market
Yoplait SKYR Breakfast Bowl
Yoplait has been satisfying Irish consumers for over 50 years and Yoplait Fruit Yogurts, Yops, Petit Filous and Frubes are still enjoyed in homes everywhere today. Favoured by parents as a snack of choice for the whole family, the Yoplait range is rich in calcium and vitamins and has been enjoyed in homes & lunch boxes all over the country since the 1970’s.
Ever innovative, Yoplait strives to meet changes in consumer preferences with an increasing product range including Yoplait SKYR which is based on a creamy Icelandic recipe and is now holding 1.6pt value share of the yogurt market since its launch in November 2023.
Yoplait SKYR is 100% natural, high quality dairy source of rich protein which provides a high percentage of our daily nutritional requirements. Yoplait’s focus on the growth of SKYR in the market as a key protein source will continue based on its naturally high protein content which stems from being made using only milk. This makes Yoplait SKYR a highly affordable source of rich protein versus alternatives.
Furthermore, Skyr’s inherent creamy flavour and texture appeals to a sophisticated demand for a more natural tasting snack whilst its versatility as a stand-alone protein rich snack or as a welcome main constituent in breakfast bowls, smoothies, breads, sauces and dips continues to win consumers over.
Yoplait’s full SKYR range includes an 850g Natural with a RRP of €2.99 and 450g Vanilla and 450g Peach flavours with a respective RRP of €2.69 or two for €4.50.
Kerrygold: ‘Ireland’s favourite’ butter brand
Kerrygold, Ireland’s most successful food brand, has been enjoyed by food-lovers around the world for over six decades. Ireland’s lush green pastures and dairy farming traditions are at the heart of what makes Kerrygold so special. Made in Ireland from the milk of Irish grass-fed cows, it is this natural goodness that gives Kerrygold its rich, creamy taste and golden colour.
Thanks to these unmistakable qualities, Kerrygold has expanded its reach across the globe, achieving celebrated status in many international markets. Kerrygold, the number two butter brand in the US and the number one butter brand in Germany, is also the butter of choice for Irish consumers who value the brand’s superior taste, quality, and ability to elevate any mealtime occasion.
Built on the craft and expertise of Irish dairy farmers, the brand is recognised globally for its premium quality, distinctive taste, and trusted heritage. As part of Ornua, a cooperative of Ireland’s 14,000 dairy farmers, the brand remains intrinsically connected to its roots and anchored in its purpose – creating value for Irish farming families while protecting and celebrating the heritage that makes Kerrygold unique.
Guided by this purpose, innovation plays a crucial role in the success of Kerrygold around the world, with consumer-led product development being a key gateway to accessing strong growth opportunities. Kerrygold has introduced more than 40 new products across international markets in the last two years, each rooted in human insight.
In Ireland, the brand has evolved with changing household and consumer needs, pairing our Irish grass-fed point of difference with innovative flavours and formats. The launch of Kerrygold Cream Cheese in 2024, available in Natural, Garlic & Herb, and Sweet Pepper & Chilli to satisfy diverse tastes, marked an exciting new category entry. Kerrygold also expanded its butter offering with a convenient 100g butter stick, followed by a Garlic & Herb variant to elevate cooking occasions. The introduction of a 200g Kerrygold Spreadable pack provides a perfectly sized option for smaller households, each innovation delivering meaningful new ways for consumers to enjoy Kerrygold.
Beyond the dairy aisle, Kerrygold has strengthened its cultural impact through a renewed focus on creators, digital storytelling, and iconic brand experiences. The brand is increasingly engaging with a diverse community of food-loving creators who share a passion for Kerrygold and its origins. In Ireland, the brand continues to show up in meaningful cultural moments through partnerships with leading festivals such as Bloom and Ballymaloe, connecting with audiences who share a love for great food and Irish craftsmanship.
As Kerrygold looks to the future, it remains dedicated to delivering high-quality, trusted products and creating new and inspiring ways for consumers to enjoy the unmistakable taste of Kerrygold at home and around the world.
Read more: Advertising Standards Authority appoints Claire Butterly and Eimear Cosgrave
© 2026, ShelfLife by Ryan Brennan
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