An award-winning Irish butter brand is expanding its range of products as its sales continue to grow. Ór-Real Irish Butter is adding two new products to its range, marking the first time the company has expanded its product offering. It is introducing a smaller 227g pack as well as an unsalted version due to increased demand.
The brand first launched in October 2021 and has experienced rapid growth since then. Sales of Ór-Real Irish Butter increased by 93% during 2023 and are already exceeding targets for 2024.
Ór-Real Irish Butter is made in Kanturk Co. Cork by North Cork Creameries using the traditional method of slow churning.
It is now stocked in Tesco; Supervalu; Centra; BWG Foods which includes Spar, Londis and Mace; and the Barry Group which includes Costcutter and Quik Pick stores. The company is in negotiations with other Irish retailers on future partnerships.
Smaller 227g pack sizes will soon be available nationwide. North Cork Creameries is also introducing an unsalted version for the first time.
Pat Sheahan, CEO of North Cork Creameries said, “Ór-Real Irish Butter is a huge success story for us. We have achieved our goal of establishing it as one of the leading brands in premium foil butter nationally in a very short space of time. We now have over 90% distribution with our current major retailers and plan to add more in the coming months. The new pack sizes will give additional choice to consumers, the smaller 227g packs are more convenient especially for baking.”
North Cork Creameries is a farmer-owned independent cooperative and has been making butter for almost 100 years. It employs 120 local people directly, supports 250 farming families in North Cork, Kerry and Limerick, and contributes significantly to the local economy.
Con O’Sullivan, a North Cork Creameries milk supplier added, “Generations of local farming families have supplied milk from grass fed cows to North Cork Creameries. The quality remains the same however advancements in technology and commitment to sustainability are now major priorities for us. We’re planting more clover, reducing the need for nitrogen fertilisers and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There is something really special about seeing Ór-Real Irish Butter on sale in shops across the country knowing that it was made using milk from our farm.”
Ór-Real Irish Butter continues to sweep the boards at the industry food awards. For the second year in a row it was named Gold Award winner in the butter category at the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards and won Gold in the same category at Blás na hÉireann. Ór-Real Irish Butter was also recognised at the Great Taste Awards 2023.
