Record sales for Northern Ireland's Dale Farm

Dale Farm, Northern Ireland's largest dairy processor, has reported increased profits and record sales including exports to markets such as China and Russia.

The company, owned by United Dairy Farmers, the Northern Irish co-operative, saw sales grow 30 per cent to £293 million in the year to end of March. Consumer product sales such as cheese, butter and yoghurt were up 15 per cent to £168 million and food ingredients rose by 80 per cent to almost £100 million.

Dale farm's total exports increased to more than £102 million as the co-op processed record milk supplies from local farmers. It also paid the highest milk prices to its suppliers.

Dale Farm also acquired Mullin's, a Northern Irish artisan ice cream producer, during the year. In the current year, the company acquired Fivemiletown Creamery's speciality cheese brands.

Turnover rose by £25 million to £443 million, mostly from Dale Farm. The group's United Feeds saw sales grow by 10 per cent to £52.7 million.

Group operating profits reached £7.4 million, up over 40 per cent on last year.

Dr David Dobbin, group chief executive, says: "Our ambitious growth strategy is starting to pay off. We saw solid results across all our businesses with cheddar and butter consumer products both delivering strong growth and increased market share in Britain. Exports of cheese, whey proteins and specialised powder ingredients also grew strongly.

"Ice cream sales benefited from the better weather and the purchase of the Mullin's ice cream business. We launched a number of new products including Spelga Greek and Far Free yoghurts and a new Dale Farm custard range, all of which showed encouraging growth."

The company invested around £40 million in 2013 in upgrading facilities especially a new cheddar cheese plant.

Dale Farm, in addition, acquired the Ash Manor Cheese Company in Wrexham during the year to strengthen its cheese distribution operations in Britain.