Meeting in Dungarvan discusses the farming outlook for 2026
Pictured L-R at the recent Tirlán Business and Market Outlook Meeting Series are: Ailish Byrne - Director of Agribusiness; Seán Molloy – CEO; John Murphy -Tirlán Chairperson; and Aoife Murphy, Chief Ingredients Officer. Photographer: Noel Browne
Tirlán Co-op’s farm family suppliers in Waterford turned out in large numbers, for the Co-op’s Business & Market Outlook 2026 Meeting Series.
Management updated suppliers on the latest market outlook, priorities for 2026 and beyond, and outlined the practical supports available as farm families prepare for spring.
Speaking at the information meeting in The Park Hotel, Dungarvan, Tirlán Chairperson, John Murphy, said 2025 will go down as one of the best years for dairy farming, with strong milk prices, favourable weather, and milk volumes rising 7% yearâonâyear.
He cautioned that 2026 will be a more challenging year on the dairy front, due to global milk supply and demand dynamics.
“Demand has remained solid but global milk supply is very strong. We operate in a very high-cost environment and we are very mindful of this. But hopefully as we progress, we will see markets improve and green shoots again. We will do our very best to support our farmers. These markets will pass – they always do. We are a Co-op, owned and governed by farmers and we are here to operate for the sole benefit of farmers.”
Tirlán CEO, Seán Molloy confirmed Tirlán farmers delivered record milk intake in 2025. The Co-op placed an additional 40,000 tonnes of dairy ingredients on the market, and ended the year with nearârecordâlow stock levels. He stated that despite volatility and tariff uncertainty, the Coâop closed 2025 in a robust financial position.
Chief Ingredients Officer, Aoife Murphy, described 2025 as a year defined by global volatility.
Milk supply rose sharply across major regions, while retail and foodservice demand softened.
Despite this, longâterm fundamentals remain positive, with strong global demand for dairy proteins and favourable demographic and healthâfocused trends.
Milk supply was up to record levels last year, Chief Operations & Consumer Foods Officer Jim O’Neill confirmed. T
he Co-op processed its highest-ever volume at 3.234 billion litres and a peak of 96 million litres per week in May.
He noted significant progress at Kilkenny Cheese, with over 90,000 tonnes of continental cheese produced since 2024.
He also outlined the major new Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) investment in Ballyragget.
