Lakeland Dairies announces £24.5 million investment to support growth and exports

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced a major £24.5 million investment by Ballyrashane-based Lakeland Dairies.

The investment will strengthen the company’s manufacturing base and support future growth in key export markets.  It will focus on expanding production capacity at the Ballyrashane site through significant upgrades to liquid milk packing and butter production facilities, alongside further sustainability-focused improvements across the operation.

Following a visit to the company’s premises near Coleraine, Minister Archibald said: “Lakeland Dairies has been an important part of our food and drink industry in the north for many years. This significant investment demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to its business in the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

“It supports the continued development of the agri-food sector, strengthens export capability and includes important investment in sustainability. It will also help improve productivity within the business and contribute to better regional balance by supporting growth and opportunity in this area, all of which align strongly with my economic priorities.”

Speaking on behalf of the company, Colin Kelly, CEO of Lakeland Dairies, said: “This significant investment in our Ballyrashane site reflects our commitment to the future and our ambition to grow in both domestic and international markets. The programme will expand capacity in liquid milk packing and butter production, and will support new product development, allowing us to meet growing demand in export markets. The project will also deliver wider environmental benefits, further enhancing the site’s energy sustainability performance.”

Invest NI has offered LacPatrick Dairies, part of Lakeland Dairies, £2.5m towards the investment through its Agri-Food Investment Initiative (AFII).

Kieran Donoghue, Invest NI CEO said: “We’ve been working with the company for over a decade, and we are very pleased to support the company to undertake this investment. The AFII scheme has enabled several businesses like this to deliver major efficiency projects, boosting output and driving cutting-edge innovation across the region. This project stands out for its innovation and productivity, opening up global growth opportunities for the company by developing new high-value products.”