Ornua

Ornua is an Irish agri-food cooperative, which markets and sells dairy products on behalf of its members; Ireland's dairy processors and, in turn, the Irish dairy farmer. It is Ireland's largest exporter of Irish dairy products.

History

Ornua was established in 1961 by the Irish Government as An Bord Bainne, a statutory board, to promote and facilitate the export of Irish dairy products. In 1973, it became a co-operative society, owned by Irish dairy processing co-operatives and companies. In 1994, it changed its name to the Irish Dairy Board. In 2015, it rebranded as Ornua, to reflect its evolution from a domestically focused board to a globally focused commercial organisation.

Operations

Ornua operates from 19 business units worldwide, including 14 production facilities, and exports to over 110 countries. It owns the leading dairy brands Kerrygold, Pilgrims Choice, Dubliner Cheese, and BEO Milk Powder. Ornua's products are sold in most of the world's major food markets, including the UK, the US, Germany, the Middle East, and Africa.

Governance

Ornua is governed by a Board of Directors, which is elected by the co-operative's members. The Board is responsible for the strategic direction of the co-operative. The day-to-day management of Ornua is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Team.

Financial Performance

Ornua's financial performance is closely linked to the performance of the Irish dairy industry. The co-operative's revenues are derived from the sale of dairy products, and its profitability is influenced by global dairy prices and the efficiency of its operations.

Sustainability

Ornua is committed to sustainable dairy farming and production. It works closely with its members and suppliers to ensure the sustainability of their operations, and it is a member of the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme.

See Also

• Irish Dairy Board
• Kerrygold
• Dubliner Cheese