Scottish cheese on sale in Spain for first time – Daily Business

Scotland’s dairy sector is celebrating a major export win with Scottish cheese going on sale in Spain for the first time.

The Scottish Dairy Growth Board, Scottish Development International and importer, Iber Conseil, have joined forces with the UK Government to help Scottish cheese producers enter the Spanish market backed by a £20,000 investment by Brand Scotland.

Cottage cheese from Yester Farm Dairies has this week gone on sale at Ametller Origen’s 140 Catalan stores in a deal which will see 20 tonnes of the produce supplied in the first year. 

Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill will today join producers and export partners for a launch event at an Ametller store in Barcelona.

Iber Conseil is working with other Scottish producers to bring a number of hard cheeses to the Spanish market over the coming months. 

This year’s UK-EU trade deal is expected to add up to £5.1 billion a year to the economy and increase the volume of UK exports of major agricultural commodities to the EU by 16%. 

That is partly because a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary system has been agreed to which will see routine border checks eliminated so fresh produce can hit supermarket shelves more quickly, with less paperwork and fewer costs.

For artisan producers who often deal in small batches and cannot afford delays due to the perishable nature of goods such as cheese, this agreement will be especially beneficial.

Ms McNeill 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. 

“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.”

The Scottish Dairy Growth Board’s Roddy Wilde 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.”

As well as the Scottish cheese exports launch, Ms McNeill is in Barcelona to attend the annual British-Spanish Tertulias. Launched in 1988, it is the UK’s primary bilateral forum with Spain.