Ireland exports over €5 billion of dairy products every year, making it the largest food and drink export category. Ireland is renowned for the production of quality dairy products and ingredients. 

Ireland has a population of approximately 5 million people, yet it produces enough dairy to feed multiples of that. What Ireland produces is influenced by its seasonal grass growth and its dairy production is focused on high quality butter, cheese and powder products. Ireland is synonymous with grass fed butter and continues to build on its global reputation.  

Ireland exported 261,651mt of cheese in 2021, and is particularly well known for its cheddar cheese production. The industry is continuing to enhance its cheese making capabilities in other varieties such as mozzarella and continental cheeses. 

Ireland has earned a strong reputation for the production of dairy powders, including fat filled, skim milk, casein, whole milk and butter milk powders as well as premium specialised nutrition. Multinational nutritional companies have chosen to locate in Ireland owing to its high quality milk pool and dairy ingredients that meet the rigorous standards and regulations needed to supply this sector.