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Ornua launches Kerrygold butter into South Korea market

23 Nov 2017

Ornua has announced a major product expansion into the South Korean market with the launch of Kerrygold butter, where it will be sold through major Korean retailers.

Ornua launches Kerrygold butter into South Korea market

Ornua has announced a major product expansion into the South Korean market with the launch of Kerrygold butter. The new product was unveiled by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD at a launch in the Hyundai Department Store Samseong-dong in the Gangnam-gu district, Seoul, during the Irish Trade Mission to South Korea and Japan.

Kerrygold will be sold through major Korean retailers. Kerrygold dairy products, made from the milk of grass-fed cows, will bring a unique new offering to South Korean consumers, Ornua claims, noting that Korean consumers place a high value on the origin and quality of their food, with the country’s dairy market characterised by very high-quality standards.

The announcement of Kerrygold’s entry into the South Korean market is the latest step in Ornua’s growth in Asia, a key market for Irish dairy the company says. In recent years, Ornua has introduced products in China, Singapore and Malaysia. As milk deficit regions, these countries are said to offer significant potential as a route to market for Irish dairy exports.

“I am delighted to see the continuing expansion of Irish dairy produce into the Asian market,” said Creed. “The launch of Kerrygold in South Korea establishes another important route to market for Irish dairy. I have confidence that in the near future, South Korea will become an important market for Kerrygold butter and cheese. As we prepare for a post Brexit environment, it is critical that we build these new markets for premium Irish dairy products.”

“Today marks Ornua’s entry into the South Korean market and is an important milestone in the continuation of our expansion into the key Asian market,” said John Jordan, CEO Ornua EMEA & Asia. “Opening new routes to market, such as South Korea, is a central pillar of Ornua’s strategy to develop Kerrygold from a butter brand into a €1bn global dairy brand. Today’s announcement is also an key step in further diversifying our customer base, a particularly important consideration for Irish dairy farming in the current political environment.”

Kerrygold reported record annual retail sales of €900 million in 2016. Ornua says its ambition is to move Kerrygold from being a world-class butter brand to an instantly recognisable €1 billion global dairy brand in the coming years. 2016 saw the launch of Kerrygold Yogurts in Germany, Kerrygold Spreadable in the UK and the continued roll-out of Kerrygold Irish Cream Liqueur across Europe and the US.

Companies mentioned