The value of dairy farming to Kilkenny’s rural economy and environs is highlighted in new figures from Glanbia Ireland.
The dairy paid out €192 million for milk here last year.
Glanbia Ireland has 875 farm families supplying milk in County Kilkenny.
The company delivered a solid performance in 2020 in spite of the global disruption caused by Covid-19.
Revenue for 2020 stood at €1.9 billion, down 2.9%. Of this, a 2.1% drop caused by volume decline with the balance due to modest price deflation over the period.
The company reported profit after tax of €61 million.
There was a sales decline in the Agribusiness part of the business because of very favourable weather, leading to good grass growth and a consequent reduction in demand forfeed and fertiliser.
The domestic foodservice element of the consumer business was significantly affected by the three lockdowns during much of 2020, but was cushioned by higher retail demand.
The milk price paid by the group for the year was an average of 35 cent per litre, inclusive of VAT.
Glanbia Ireland CEO, Jim Bergin told Kilkenny Press Covid-19 significantly added to operational challenges in 2020 but the speed at which the management team acted and adapted to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all was exemplary.
CHALLENGING AND A TREMENDOUS CREDIT
“Keeping milk on the shelves throughout the past year has been exceptionally challenging and tremendous credit goes to all who played their part.
“Milk volumes in 2020 increased by 4.9% on a like-for-like basis and the group paid over €1.083 billion to milk suppliers, an increase of 3.8% on 2019.
“This represents a significant source of income for farm families, for our rural and regional economies and highlights the impact of dairy farming on villages and towns throughout rural Ireland where our suppliers live, work and spend their farm income.
“Investment in our digital platforms paid dividends. These include our fresh doorstep delivery business mymilkman.ie; our agri and gardening input business, Glanbia Connect, and a new business-to-business ingredients trading platform, Glanbia Direct.
“Each recorded significant growth. Customers really turned to trusted brands during the pandemic and this helped boost revenue,” Mr Bergin continued.
“We have rallied in the face of adverse global as well as domestic conditions, with substantial growth in sales of UHT milk and cream into South East Asia.
The Truly Grass Fed brand continues to be well-received in the US marketplace with good momentum building as distribution grows,” he added.
Highlights for 2020:
– Contributing over €1.08 billion to the rural economy in the form of milk payments, up €50 million from 2019
– Achieving Origin Green Gold Membership Status
– Surpassing the 3 billion litre processing threshold
– The Twenty20 Beef Club in association with Kepak being shortlisted in the Economic Value Creation – Support for Farmer Members category of the European Award organised by Cogeca
– Making capital investment of €35 million;
– Construction of a new €15 million Innovation Centre in Ballyragget, County Kilkenny, began and will deliver significant capabilities when it comes on stream in late 2021;
– Purchasing 248,300 tonnes of grain
– Selling 395,000 tonnes of dairy products.
