South Caernarfon Creameries (SCC) has broken into the lucrative US dairy market having secured the first order for its Dragon cheese and butter products.
The deal was secured at the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) trade show in Anaheim, California.
As part of its stateside export drive SCS, which is a farmer-owned co-operative, is working alongside Abbey Specialty Foods which specialises in importing and distributing speciality cheese throughout America.
The US is one of the most important markets outside of the EU for UK dairy products with more than £50m worth of cheese shipped to America in 2021.
Gwynedd-based SCC first meet the distributor at a trade event organised by Speciality Food Association in New York last year. SCC was part of a Welsh Government led food and drink export drive mission to the event.
SCC marketing manager, Kirstie Jones said, “Last year it was great meeting Tom of Abbey Specialty Foods in New York, and even better that we have been able to build on that relationship.
“Securing new revenues of business is key in the ever changing markets, and getting a foot in the door in the US is a great win for us.
“In the first three months of 2022, the value of UK cheese exports to the US rose by 25% compared to the same period the year before with shipments worth £13m and we want to have a slice of that.
“We are continually looking for ways to grow the business, and this export deal we have secured is a great achievement for the company. We hope to build further on this new relationship across the pond and deliver more of our products to our American customers.”
Between 2020 and 2021 Wales had the largest percentage increase in the value of food and drink exports out of the four UK nations rising by £89 million, a growth of 16.1%, with the value of dairy and birds’ eggs reaching £106m in 2021.³
Abbey Specialty Foods, chief executive Tom Slattery said, “We are excited to add SCC’s flagship Dragon brand to our catalogue of dairy products complementing our range or European cheeses. Wales is known for its rolling hills and lush green pastures known to produce the creamery’s quality Welsh Cheddar, which has proved popular with our customers and attendees at the IDDBA.”
SCC, which employs 165 staff, has 154 dairy farmer members. It UK customers includes leading supermarket chains as well as independent shops and food service companies.
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