Minister hails ‘new markets’ for Scottish cheese as it goes on sale in Spain

Cheese from Scotland has gone on sale in Spain for the first time – with UK Government minister Kirsty McNeill saying the move is “opening new markets” for the dairy sector.

A deal involving the Scottish Dairy Growth Board, Scottish Development International and Spanish importer Iber Conseil – backed with £20,000 of investment from the Government’s Brand Scotland scheme – is helping Scottish cheese makers to sell their produce in Spain.

As a result cottage cheese made by Yester Farm Dairies Limited in East Lothian has this week gone on sale in a chain of 140 stores across Catalan.

Scotland Office minister Ms McNeill travelled to the Catalan capital Barcelona to take part in Friday’s launch event for the cheese.

Speaking ahead of that, she said: “Scottish cheese is already celebrated across the UK as a premium, artisan product.

“Now, thanks to UK Government Brand Scotland funding, it will grace tables across Spain – opening new markets and delivering real benefits for our cheese producers and rural communities.”

Ms McNeill added: “The UK Government is fully backing Scotland’s world-class food and drink sector, including securing a trade deal with the EU that will remove red tape for Scottish businesses to export to the continent.”

Founder and managing director of Yester Farm Dairies Simon McCreery said: “We are really excited to see our cottage cheese on the shelves of Spanish retailers and we are so grateful for the advice and support we have received through the Brand Scotland initiative.”

Iber Conseil, a specialist importer bringing European cheeses to Spain, is also working with other Scottish producers to bring a number of hard cheeses to the Spanish market over the coming months.

Roddy Wilde, of the Scottish Dairy Growth Board, said: “International market development for our world-class ranges of Scottish speciality cheeses is a top priority for the sector and this breakthrough into the Spanish market is a key step, opening another door to trade with the EU.

“The speed with which market entry has been facilitated and the high quality of relationship built in a short time with Spain’s major speciality cheese importer-distributor are testament to the agility and performance of our collaborative partnership with Scottish Development International as well as to the transformative aid of Brand Scotland funding from UK Government.”