Irish Dairy Companies Poised To Benefit From €11.6B Global Whey Protein Boom

Irish dairy processors are well positioned to capture substantial value from the rapidly expanding global whey proteins market, according to a comprehensive sector report by Analytical Market Research. The global industry—valued at €7.7 billion in 2025—is projected to expand to €11.6 billion by 2030, driven by an evolution that has transformed whey from a cheese and casein manufacturing byproduct into one of the most profitable functional ingredients across sports, clinical, and lifestyle nutrition. Irish dairy powerhouses including Tirlán, Glanbia Nutritionals, Kerry Group, and Carbery Group feature prominently among the world’s top market participants, competing alongside global giants like Fonterra, Arla Foods Ingredients, Lactalis Ingredients, and FrieslandCampina Ingredients. The report highlights vertical integration—controlling both the raw milk supply and downstream filtration, fractionation, and drying—as a critical competitive advantage, shielding integrated co-ops from ...