Grass-fed milk is and will continue to be our point of differentiation on international dairy markets, according to keynote speakers at the Teagasc dairy conference.

Speaking in Cork on Tuesday Albert McQuaid, global chief technology officer at Kerry Group, said Kerry is committed to continuing to work with Kerry customers worldwide to produce superior quality products.

“Grass-fed is becoming more popular and clearly the consumer is moving to more trusted products with the ingredients they expect to see.

“The Kerry model based around customisation continues and this is how we create value. We sell complex solutions that make it a long-term play for business.”

Startling figures

The Kerry man showed startling figures highlighting the number of new grass-fed brands that have been launched. He said there had been a 245% increase in new ‘‘grass-fed’’ products between 2014 and 2016 and a 215% growth in ‘‘grass-fed’’ claims on menus.

The recent moves by Glanbia to launch Truly Grass Fed cheese in the US alongside Kerrygold cheese are a move closer down the Kerry route.

Cork conference session chair Liam Herlihy, newly appointed Teagasc chair, said he didn’t want to get bogged down in the politics of the Ornua versus Glanbia debate but a question did come from the audience on how McQuaid viewed Ornua’s performance.

While not directly addressing the question the Kerry representative said businesses must take holistic control and the Bord Bia Origin Green programme is part of that message which the consumer wants and Kerry were trying to take full advantage of that.