Kerry Dairy Ireland has changed its name to Kinisla. The identity marks a new phase of growth for the majority farmer-owned business, which today also reported strong preliminary 2025 performance and announced a €300 million five-year investment programme. The business also confirmed that it will create 100 new jobs across central and other functions over the next 12 to 24 months, building the expertise and capacity to support its next phase of expansion.
The business entered a new phase in December 2024, when Kerry Co-Operative Creameries completed Phase 1 of its acquisition of a 70% shareholding in Kerry Dairy Ireland.
New identity
Kinisla, pronounced “Kin-EYE-la”, reflects the two defining aspects of the business: its people (farmers, farm families, innovators and employees) and the island of Ireland, especially the distinctive landscape of the southwest, where the business has deep roots. It speaks to both the heritage of the business and its focus on future growth, anchored by unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation.
The new identity was unveiled today at an event in Listowel, Co Kerry, attended by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD, public representatives, milk suppliers, employees and customers, marking an important moment in the development of the business.
Strong 2025 performance
2025 was a landmark year for Kinisla, marked by the successful return of majority ownership to Kerry Co-op. This was a major milestone in the development of the business, and one welcomed by farmers, employees, customers and other stakeholders. Under the governance of its newly established Board of Directors, the business delivered a robust financial performance in 2025, with revenue and earnings ahead of expectations.
In 2025, turnover increased to €1.4bn and EBITDA rose to €86.8m.
The business also maintained a very competitive milk price throughout the year, while milk volumes processed increased by 5.2% to over 1.2 billion litres.
This performance, delivered against an increasingly volatile and challenging backdrop in the second half of 2025, reflects the strength of Kinisla’s diversified portfolio and positions the business well to create long-term value for farmer-owners, customers and employees.
Commenting Pat Murphy, Chief Executive of Kinisla, said:
“2025 was a landmark year for Kinisla and one that underlines the strength of the farmer-owned business we are building. We delivered a strong performance, with turnover of €1.4 billion and significant momentum across key parts of the portfolio, particularly Nutritional Ingredients and Dairy Consumer Foods.
“We did so while maintaining a very competitive milk price for our farmers and continuing to invest in the people, capabilities and sustainability measures that will support our next phase of growth and deliver for our farmer-owners across the Munster region. Our performance in 2025 gives us a strong platform as we step forward under our new name as Kinisla, with a business of real scale, strong momentum and a clear plan for the future.”
Chair of Kinisla, James Tangney said:
“2025 was an important year for farmer members not least because of the return of majority ownership to Kerry Co-op, but because of what the business delivered in practice. Kinisla performed strongly, maintained a competitive milk price, processed over 1.2 billion litres of milk, and continued to strengthen the foundations for long-term growth.
“For our farmers, that must mean more than strong business performance alone. It must also mean practical support on the ground through initiatives such as our commitment to sustainability across the business through the Evolve RegenDairy Programme and a clear commitment to generational renewal, so that farm families have the confidence to invest, plan for succession and see a strong future for the next generation on the land. That confidence is also strengthened by the security that comes from long-term milk supply arrangements and a business committed to backing its farmers for the years ahead.
“As Chair, and on behalf of the Board, I am confident that our business, under its new name as Kinisla, will continue to deliver a competitive milk price, long-term commitment to its suppliers, and lasting value for farmers, employees, suppliers and the rural communities that depend on them.”
Investment plan for growth
As an immediate signal of intent, Kinisla will create 100 new roles in central and other functions over the next 12 to 24 months, adding the expertise and capacity needed to support the next phase of growth.
As Kinisla, the business will back the parts of its portfolio with the strongest long-term potential. Over the next five years, it will focus on expanding higher-value Nutritional Ingredients, strengthening its leading dairy consumer brands and investing in the manufacturing, innovation and sustainability capabilities that will shape its next phase of development. Nutritional Ingredients and Dairy Consumer Foods have been identified as the two priority areas, reflecting strong momentum in higher-value ingredients and branded snacking.
This strategy is supported by a planned €300 million capital investment programme over the same period. The investment will accelerate growth in Nutritional Ingredients, particularly in milk protein manufacturing technology, strengthen the Consumer Foods snacking business, and support delivery of Kinisla’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon reduction targets.
Board and management are focused on disciplined, commercially driven growth, building a stronger, more scalable business in the areas with the greatest long-term opportunity while maintaining a strong milk price return to our dairy farmers and supporting the next generation of farmers into the Kinisla business.
Commenting, Pat Murphy said:
“Over the next five years, we will invest in the pillars of the business with the strongest growth potential, particularly Nutritional Ingredients and Dairy Consumer Foods. That will include investment in manufacturing, innovation and sustainability, backed by a €300 million capital programme. Our focus is on building a stronger, more scalable business that can deliver long-term growth, a competitive milk price and lasting value for our farmer-owners.”
Concluding, James Tangney said:
“This is a business that was built by farmers and is once again majority-owned by them, and this shapes everything we do. The investment we are committing to over the next five years is about building a business that delivers on milk price, sustainability, and long-term growth. Kinisla is the identity under which we will successfully build that future for our farmers and the communities connected to them.”