Tirlán, the 100% farmer-owned food and nutrition Co-operative held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday (Wednesday) and presented its annual report and accounts for 2025, including details of milk payments to local Waterford farm families.

Tirlán Co-op paid out €1.7 billion for milk in 2025 across its catchment area, with €262 million of that amount going to farm families in County Waterford.

The Co-op supports over 19,200 direct and indirect jobs, delivering a diverse portfolio of agricultural inputs with seven Tirlán FarmLife and CountryLife stores in Co. Waterford, leading consumer products including Avonmore and quality food ingredients.

The AGM heard that the total revenue for the business in 2025 was €2.9 billion, 10% ahead of the previous year, with growth reported across all three categories – Ingredients, Consumer and Agribusiness.

Tirlán Chairperson John Murphy said the Co-op delivered a strong financial performance in 2025, with consistent profit delivery and a significantly improved debt position. “This performance was achieved on the back of excellent supply volumes, alongside disciplined cost and cash management. The Co-op continued to invest for long-term value creation across its Ingredients, Consumer and Agribusiness businesses, while maintaining a strong focus on supporting farm families through market volatility.”

He said the Co-op Board remains firmly focused on delivering the best possible milk and grain prices, while also taking a broader view of how the Co-op delivers for and supports its Members through Total Member Returns, which captures all payments, support schemes and value distributions to Tirlán farmers.

John Murphy said that 2025 was an excellent year for Total Member Returns, with a spin-out of 15 million Glanbia plc shares worth €252.8 million* to Co-op Members and the launch of a number of targeted support programmes in response to Member needs.

Tirlán is currently investing €126 million at its Ballyragget site to expand capacity and flexibility to produce high-value whey protein ingredients, including fast-growing segments such as clear whey for lifestyle and performance nutrition.

For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.