This week we met Kerry Group CEO Edmond Scanlon and Glabnia plc managing director Siobhan Talbot as both companies reported full-year results for 2017.

As Eoin Lowry details, both reported strong performances and are forecasting a similar trend for the year ahead.

It is clear that the Kerry strategy of understanding its customers and delivering an innovative and solution-focused offering is allowing it to expand margins and grow business in what is an increasingly competitive marketplace.

The talking point from the Glanbia results will be the increased dividend being passed on to shareholders – and in particular Glanbia Co-op, which will get €20.5m. It will be interesting to see how the co-op decides to pass this back to its members.

Meanwhile, both Scanlon and Talbot remain confident of the opportunities that global dairy markets present for Irish farmers and are more positive on the short-term outlook on milk price than was the case pre-Christmas.