Irish Yogurts Ltd, based in Clonakilty, Co Cork, reported profit for the year-ended 30 November 2024 of €1.07m on turnover of €42.9m. The profit for the same period a year earlier was at €156,631.

The average number of employees at the company which was established in 1994 increased to 211 during the year.

Irish Yogurts manufactures a range of yoghurt and kefir products which are sold in retailers across Ireland and the UK. Irish sales accounted for more than 87% of the company’s turnover in 2024.

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Half an hour further west in Drimoleague, Co Cork, another yoghurt maker, Glenilen Farm Ltd, also reported annual results for 2024, which showed a notable improvement in financial performance.

Annual profits for the year almost doubled to €930,826. This result confirms the growth of the company, founded and owned by husband and wife team Alan and Valerie Kingston.

The significant expansion is the continuation of the trend seen in recent years, with the number of employees almost doubling since 2020, while profits have risen nine-fold (see Figure 1).

Consumer demand

The recent trend among consumers for increased protein intake is a boon for yoghurt manufacturers as the product is seen a high protein, low carbohydrate snack.

Manufacturers around the world are jumping on this trend with products increasingly highlighting their protein content on packaging. Yoghurts are also seen to have advantages for consumers with their probiotic content, the variety of flavours available and the convenient ready-to-eat format. A recent report from Glanbia puts the size of the global market for yoghurt at $142bn (€124bn), with growth expected to increase by around 5% per year until 2027.

The Asia-Pacific region is both the biggest market for yoghurt, accounting for more than half of global consumption, and the one which is expected to expand fastest over the coming years.

In Europe, consumption is forecast to expand at a more moderate 3.7%, but the overall size of the market remains substantial.

Export data from Bord Bia shows that Irish exports of yoghurt, which almost exclusively were destined for the UK showed a 33% increase in the year to August 2025 (see Figure 2).

The outlook overall for the sector, and the West Cork producers who did so well in 2024, certainly seems bright.