Have your say on the Tirlán-Ornua butter row

Tirlán has agreed a substantial deal to supply American supermarket chain Costco with grass-fed butter for the retailer’s own brand, Kirkland.

The Kirkland brand retails at around $6/kg cheaper than Kerrygold in the US.

Ornua’s Kerrygold brand remains by far the largest selling grass-fed butter in the US, with Kerrygold passing the $1 billion retail sales milestone in 2025 and is the number one imported butter brand in that country.

Tirlán's Truly Grass Fed butter brand has also been available on US shelves since 2019 and is priced at a similar rate to Kerrygold.

Farm organisations such as the IFA and ICMSA have opposed Tirlán’s move, fearing that it undermines Kerrygold, the most successful brand ever established in the Irish agrifood sector.

The IFA has met with senior management of both Tirlán and Ornua over the past week to discuss recent developments in the US butter market and the decision taken by Tirlán.

Your opinion

The Irish Farmers Journal wants to hear from milk suppliers to get your views on Tirlán’s move in the US butter market.

You can share your opinion with us by filling out the form below, and it may feature in an upcoming edition.