Ornua opens Kerrygold site in Nigeria

Ornua, Ireland’s largest dairy product exporter, has opened a Kerrygold packing factory in Nigeria. The facility will provide a new route to market for Irish powdered milk, which will be exported to Nigeria and then packaged and marketed under the Kerrygold brand. Kerrygold powders are sold in small sachets, pouches or tins, primarily through small distributors. The facility was opened in Lagos by Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine Simon Coveney TD, who is leading a trade mission to Nigeria.
In 2013, Ornua opened its African headquarters in Port Elizabeth to further strengthen its foothold in the African market. It currently employs 250 people both directly and indirectly. The new facility is a joint venture between Ornua and distribution and packing partners, Fareast Mercantile Company Limited (FMCL).
This investment in Nigeria is the latest in a series of major global investments by Ornua as it seeks to expand routes to market for Irish dairy produce. Recent major investments include the development of new and expanded production and innovation facilities in Ireland, North America, Germany, Spain, the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Welcoming the opening of the facility, Kevin Lane, Ornua CEO says, “Nigeria is a young, vibrant country and one in which we see a real opportunity to grow the Kerrygold brand. We are delighted to be working with our joint venture partners FMCL and look forward to building on our existing relationships in Nigeria. Importantly for Irish dairy farmers, this development offers an enhanced route to market for the additional forecasted milk volumes.”
Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa. Nigeria is also one of the top three importers of powdered milk products in Africa and the largest importer of full-fat milk powder. In 2014, Nigeria imported 166,000 tonnes of milk powder products, with the retail market alone valued at €455m.