The Scottish dairy industry has set its sights on consumers around the globe. Eleven dairy processors there have united under a common brand, called the Scottish Dairy Brand, which was unveiled at the Anuga trade show in November. They will be selling yogurts, cheeses and butters in Europe, North America and Asia.
Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, told Dairy Foods that “We want to add value to the milk” produced by the country’s 800 dairy farms. Scotland has built “a reputation for good quality food and drink. We want dairy to be part of that success.”
Listen to the All Things Dairy podcast interview (below, or click the link) with Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment.
The 11 dairy processors that have signed up to use the Scottish Dairy Brand logo have 18 brands and they supply 40 different products. These will be marketed as Heritage, Artisan or Organic. The Heritage range consists of established brands that are “doing well in the UK market,” Lochhead said. The Artisan range is made by small family-owned processers on the mainland and islands.
The selling points of Scottish dairy products include grass-fed cows and GM-free (not genetically modified) products, the secretary said. Scotland is “a very lucky country” that is “blessed with a fantastic natural environment,” Lochhead said. The country has “amazing food producers in so many different sectors, not least dairy.”
Scotland doesn’t have a large volume of dairy products to sell worldwide, which is the reason the processors are focusing on the high-end premium market, Lochhead said.
In a statement, Lochhead said, “People across the world enjoy premium Scottish produce such as Scotch Beef, salmon and shellfish. Now I want them to savor delicious Scottish dairy including cheese and butter. This new brand will allow buyers and consumers internationally to easily spot and purchase Scottish produce.”
Brands which will now feature the Scottish dairy logo include:
