Aurivo hits record year with rise in profit, turnover and milk supply

Aurivo, the company that owns and operates the Donegal Creameries brands, showed increased turnover, profit and milk intake in 2025.

The 12 months until the end of December 2025 saw the company have its highest-ever milk intake, the 544 million litres last year marking a 5.3% rise from the previous 12 months.

Fourteen new dairy entrants joined Aurivo in 2025 and the company has said that discussions are “ongoing” with around 30 potential entrants for 2026 and 2027.

The company has said that it expects “geopolitical and trade uncertainty” to make trading conditions choppy at times this year, leading to input cost pressures and a softer dairy makes across the world.

However, Aurivo believes that a strong strategic and financial position provides “a sound basis for ongoing sustainable growth”.

In 2025, Aurivo, who employ over 100 people at its creamery in Crossroads, Killygordon, recorded a group turnover of €814.2m, an increase of 12.3%.

The company’s operating profit shot up to €18.7m, a rise of €1.7 from the previous 12 months.

Aurivo noted that despite a market correction in the second half of the year as European milk volumes increased sharply, Aurivo’s “strong business mix” supported a stable full-year performance. 

The Co-operative invested €12.1m across the business during 2025, reduced net debt to close to zero and increased shareholder funds to more than €120m. 

Its EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) was up by 8.3% to €29.5m.

Last month, Aurivo and Dale Farm decided against a merger, instead announcing a strategic partnership following talks. 

Aurivo is headquartered in Sligo and is behind brands such as Donegal Creameries and Connacht Gold. 

The companies will now work together on strategic projects such as by-product utilisation and added value protein. 

They said in a joint statement that they decided “now is not the right time to proceed with a merger process”

Commenting on the annual results for 2025, Donal Tierney, Chief Executive of Aurivo, said: “2025 was a year of stable, resilient performance and strong delivery for Aurivo’s member owners. Favourable growing conditions supported our highest-ever milk intake, while our continued focus on value-add growth, operational efficiency and disciplined capital investment helped Aurivo deliver a record financial performance.

“As the year progressed, market conditions became more challenging, particularly in the final quarter as global milk supply outpaced demand. Notwithstanding those headwinds, Aurivo’s strong business mix, sound balance sheet and clear strategic focus leave us well placed to continue delivering sustainable growth for our member owners in 2026.” 

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Raymond Barlow, Chairman of Aurivo, said: “The resilience and ambition shown by our suppliers throughout 2025 was reflected in milk intake rising to a record 544 million litres, while Aurivo maintained a competitive average milk price over the course of the year.

“Across the wider business, our teams continued to deliver strongly, while Aurivo remained focused on prudent management, ongoing investment and long-term resilience. That leaves the Co-operative in a strong position to support our farmer members and continue building for the future.”