The Northern Ireland co-op, Dale Farm, has reported a 14% year on year jump in turnover to £722.4 million for the year ending March 2025.
The co-op, which has 1,300 dairy farmer members, also saw its net pre-tax profit increase by 7% to £31.9 million, up from £29.8 million a year earlier.
Meanwhile EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) rose by 2% to £45.6 million, from £44.9 million in 2024.
According to Nick Whelan, group chief executive of the co-op, the latest annual results reflect a year of “exceptional teamwork across the business”.
The co-op paid an average of 43.67p/L in 2024/25 to its 1,300 dairy farmers.
Whelan added: “Our focus, our drive and our decisions are about ensuring the profitability and sustainability of our farmers’ businesses.
“We are in the investment phase of our strategy cycle with a focus on production, automation and digitalisation.”
Whelan also looked back on some of the co-op’s highlights during the last 12 months under review including the major investment announcement of £70 million in its cheddar cheese processing facility at Dunmanbridge, Co Tyrone.
He added: “The commissioning stage is now complete, and the new plant is performing extremely well.
“We will continue to invest in the business to provide our customers with products and services they need at the right cost, to ensure we build on our consistent performance while paying a strongly competitive milk price to our 1,300 milk suppliers”.
The latest set of annual results for the co-op also show that its operating profit grew by a modest 1% up from £37.5 million to £37.7 million in 2024/25.
Dale Farm’s net assets also increased in the 12 months under review to £175.3 million.
According to its CEO the co-op is “pleased with the results” they are taking nothing for granted.
“Food businesses require constant financial reinvestment guided by focused research and development.
“We are determined to remain innovative, constantly reinforcing our reputation for quality, consistency and sustainability, while investing in our people,” he added.
