Agribusiness

Lakeland Dairies targets €100m in foreign M&A as climate targets bite growth

The Cavan-based farmer co-op plans to rationalise its Irish processing facilities while also buying higher-margin business in international markets

Colin Kelly, group chief executive officer, on site at the Lakeland Dairies plant in Bailieborough, Co Cavan. Picture: Joe Dunne

Lakeland Dairies, the farmer owned dairy co-op, is planning to invest €100 million over the next five years to buy international business as it seeks new ways to grow following recent environmental law changes that has put a handbrake on milk supply growth.

Colin Kelly, chief executive of Lakeland Dairies, said the “environmental reality” of agriculture meant milk supply would not be able to grow any further.

“The days of building new milk processing factories ...