As earlier reported, Irish dairy co-op Tirlán has made a deal to supply grass-fed butter for US retailer Costco’s “Kirkland Signature” brand. That way, Tirlán replaced NZ butter at Costco. The price difference to Kerrygold in the US market is staggering: four eight-ounce sticks of Kerrygold cost $14.99, Kirkland Signature sells for $10.99.

Tirlán, which also supplies butter to Ornua, recently commented. “It should be noted that those developments are market-led and extend beyond any single supplier, source country or brand”.