News & Events

Dairygold welcomes planned TINE investment for Ireland in Jarlsberg® Cheese production

Dairygold welcome the decision by TINE, Norway’s largest farmer-owned dairy co-operative, to commence planning for the construction of a new Jarlsberg cheese production facility in Ireland. The project will see TINE form a partnership with Dairygold for the development of a new Jarlsberg Cheese production facility alongside Dairygold’s existing Speciality Cheese facility in Mogeely, Co Cork. Details of the scale of the TINE investment or the job numbers involved have not yet been published.

Having undertaken a strategic review of Norwegian export of Jarlsberg®, TINE have decided to invest in Ireland by arrangement with Dairygold in Mogeely, Co. Cork, and to further strengthen the sales and marketing of Jarlsberg in international markets.

“Dairygold is pleased that TINE has chosen to invest in a new Jarlsberg® production facility in Mogeely in partnership with Dairygold. Dairygold currently produce Jarlsberg® cheese for TINE in Mogeely, under a relationship that goes back over ten years. The proposed new investment will enable TINE and Dairygold to further develop what is already a strong relationship between the two like-minded farmer-owned businesses,” says Dairygold Chief Executive, Jim Woulfe.

Dairygold Chairman James Lynch commented, “Dairygold looks forward to working with TINE to support their planned Jarlsberg® cheese products investment in Mogeely over the coming years, with production of cheese planned to commence in 2019. TINE’s decision to invest alongside Dairygold on the Mogeely site reflects a strong vote of confidence in the commitment of our farmers and staff to quality dairy production at all levels.”

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’ Connor, said “I'm delighted to hear of Dairygold bringing the production of a world-class Norwegian cheese brand to Ireland, home to the finest dairy production capability in the world. This investment represents a resounding endorsement of the Irish food sector and its capacity to meet the demands of a growing world market.''

Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said “Speciality Jarlsberg® cheese will give Irish milk yet another welcome route to an internationally established cheese market. Adding value to top quality Irish milk is a key part of Ireland’s strategy for the development of the agri-food sector. This strategic partnership between one of Ireland’s premium farmer owned processors and a proven international cheese manufacturer is a perfect example of the contribution that sector is making to employment creation in the rural economy, and to the brand image of Ireland on international markets.”

Jarlsberg Cheese

Jarlsberg® is a mild, semi-soft cow’s milk cheese of Norwegian origin which resembles Swiss Emmental cheese with distinctive, open and irregular ‘eyes’. Jarlsberg® is often marketed as a Swiss cheese because of its characteristics, though it tends to be sweeter and stronger than Emmental. Beneath the yellow-wax rind of Jarlsberg® is a semi-firm yellow interior that is buttery, rich in texture with a mild, nutty flavor.

Editor’s Note:

Commenting on the decision to partner with Dairygold TINE Chairman Trond Reierstad said;

“TINE currently supplies international markets with TINE branded products produced in Norway, the USA and by Dairygold in Ireland. Currently TINE exports approximately 10,000 tons of Jarlsberg® products from Norway annually. Jarlsberg® for the Norwegian market will continue to be manufactured in Norway.

TINE will now start planning for the construction of a Jarlsberg® plant in Ireland in order to continue and expand production and form a partnership with Dairygold in Ireland for the execution of this project. The project will involve the construction of a production plant for different Jarlsberg® products. TINE will adapt its operations accordingly and aims to strengthen production, sales and marketing of Jarlsberg® in the international markets. The planning for and construction of the new production facility will take time and production is planned to start in the beginning of 2019.

TINE has had a Jarlsberg® partnership with Dairygold for over ten years already and we have a good working relationship. We look forward to working closely with Dairygold to advance and continue the successful growth of Jarlsberg® cheese exports from Ireland to established and growing international markets”

Currently Jarlsberg® exports from Norway comprise a large part of TINE’s international turnover of over €335m [MNOK 3.100] annually.”

Ends:

About TINE SA

TINE SA is Norway's largest producer, distributor and exporter of dairy products. Our goal is to provide our customers with food that provides a healthier and positive food experience.

TINE SA is organised as a cooperative owned by more than 13.000 Norwegian dairy farmers. Each member is a shareholder in the cooperative to which they deliver 1.454 billion litres of cow's milk and about 20 million litres of goat's milk every year. The milk is processed into more than 200 different products which are sold under the TINE trademark.

The TINE Group also consists of several fully owned and partially owned subsidiaries. Outside dairy products the group manufactures products ranging from ice cream to juice. The dairy cooperative is Norway's largest food manufacturer with a total of 5.360 employees and an annual turnover of 22.2 billion NOK (2015).

For ref: Pat Keating 087-2541757.