Following its arrival in Nigeria in 2013, Ornua has consolidated its presence and increased its capacity in the country by opening a new factory this week. Minister Coveney, who is heading an Enterprise Ireland/Bord Bia trade mission to Nigerian and Ghana this week, performed the duties.

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 to suit the Nigerian trading system.

Nigeria is 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.

In his final Nigerian engagements, Minister Coveney then visited the Kerry Group’s Lagos facilities and Guinness Nigeria before continuing the mission in Ghana.