Dale Farm is the largest UK farmer-owned dairy co-operative, using fresh local milk from its
1300 farmer owners to create award winning dairy products. The Group’s activities span the
food chain – from farm support, milk collection and processing right through to manufacturing
and marketing an extensive range of products for retail, foodservice and ingredients markets.
They distribute products across the UK and export to over 40 countries globally.
The origins of the business go back to the NI Milk Marketing Board in 1955, with the cooperative
formed in 1995 following deregulation. The group has approximately 1200 employees operating
across 8 locations with a head office in Belfast. In 2024, Dale Farm announced a major
expansion in its cheddar processing facility at Dunmanbridge. Totalling £70 million it marks one
of the single biggest investments of its kind by a Northern Ireland agri-food company. With the
support of its farmers, employees and supply chain partners, Dale Farm has ambitions to grow
further and strengthen its reputation as one of UK’s leading dairy manufacturers.

Group businesses include:
Dale Farm – A major UK dairy processor serving domestic and export markets
Dale Farm Ice Cream – Distributes a wide range of ice cream products
Mullins Ice Cream – Manufactures a range of ice cream products
Dairy Herd Management – Provides herd recording and health management information
United Feeds – Manufactures animal feeds and other farm inputs
Dale Farm Tankcare – Supplies and maintains on-farm milk storage tanks