The Dealer can exclusively reveal that pig farmer-owned co-operative brand Truly Irish is to enter the creamery butter market.

The Kerry-based co-op was established in 2009 to have fully Irish pork and pigmeat products on sale in Ireland.

However, the brand is not just content with progressing well in the pigmeat sector – the next step is into the dairy produce one.

It was agreed at a board meeting on Tuesday that the step would be taken and its near 100 shareholders were informed on Wednesday.

I understand that North Cork Co-op will be producing the butter for Truly Irish and plans are afoot to roll out the product across the country, similar to how the pork and pigmeat products are in many of the country’s retail outlets.

There is an existing connection between Truly Irish and North Cork. In April, Gerry Meehan left North Cork to take up a role with Truly Irish as financial controller.