Ornua Foods UK increased turnover to £550 million last year as the owners of Pilgrims Choice and Kerrygold continued to invest in its Staffordshire operations despite ongoing market and commodity volatility.
Newly filed accounts for the Leek-based food manufacturer show turnover grew from £532 million to £550 million in the year to 27 December 2025, driven by firmer dairy commodity prices and strong volume and value growth for its Kerrygold brand.
Pre-tax profit fell from £5.2 million to £4.5 million in the same period.
Directors said the business, previously Adams Foods, delivered a “satisfactory performance”.
Over the year, Ornua Foods UK invested in automated packing technology at its cheese packing facility in Leek, which it said further enhanced its efficiency, capacity and capabilities.
The business described the site, which employs over 700 staff, as a “state-of-the-art” operation and said further investment was planned to provide a long-term competitive advantage.
The company produces and purchases butter and cheese which is packed for selling into the retail own-label and branded market, primarily in the UK.
Investments were also made into the Pilgrims Choice and Kerrygold brands during the financial year.
Ornua Foods UK described 2025 as “a year of transition and transformation” for Pilgrims Choice, with new packaging, a refreshed brand identity and the launch of a range of sliced and grated blended cheddar products backed by its “Bite into Bold” marketing campaign.
Kerrygold witnessed “strong and sustained growth” and was the fastest-growing butter brand in the UK retail sector, according to the report. Several new product launches – including the successful Kerrygold Spreadable – meant that the UK range doubled in size in 2025.
Overall, the business introduced 13 new branded products during 2025, with further launches planned this year.
Despite the success, director have warned that trading conditions remain challenging, with key risks in the businesses including the management of raw material prices and the retention of key customers in an “ever changing and increasingly competitive trading environment”.
The report adds: “Market conditions remain pressurised with cost inflation, cost-of-living pressures, and geopolitical instability impacting the trading environment.
“By leveraging the experience, agility and resilience exhibited in response to the challenge of recent years, Ornua Foods UK is well-positioned to continue to meet the needs of its growing customer base.
“The business remains committed to delivering industry-leading production efficiency, product quality, customer service and, and new product development to ensure it remains a leading supplier partner of choice in the UK market.”
