Scotland's Food Secretary brings Scottish dairy brand to the U.S.
The Scottish dairy industry is primed for expansion in the United States as Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Food, Richard Lochhead showcased the new Scottish dairy brand in New York and New Jersey today.
The brand highlights produce such as cheese and butter that has been made with 100 per cent Scottish milk. It has been developed to raise the profile of Scottish dairy produce and take advantage of the increasing demand in the United States for products with strong Scottish provenance.
The Cabinet Secretary discussed the brand during a visit to Atalanta Corp, which already sources Mull of Kintyre Cheese, a proud carrier of the Scottish Dairy Brand.
So far, 11 processors from all over Scotland have signed up to use the Scottish Dairy Brand logo, with 18 brands supplying 40 different products across three ranges: heritage, artisan and organic, all of which are made using 100 per cent Scottish milk.
The logo will be added to cheese and butter products and, in addition to signposting American shoppers to Scottish produce, it will also help retailers and overseas buyers boost the profile of Scottish dairy produce.
Mr Lochhead said:
"I want people in the US and all over the world to savour the delicious dairy that we are fortunate enough to enjoy back in Scotland. We produce a variety of dairy products, including artisan cheeses and organic butters. The new dairy brand highlights products that have been made with 100 per cent Scottish milk to help harness Scotland's reputation here in the United States for quality food and drink.
"America is a key market for a range of our products and it's great to be here today to promote the dairy brand to key importers such as Atalanta Corp. Americans already have Mull of Kintyre Cheese on offer, but I want you to be able to enjoy everything we offer, from Old Edinburgh cheddar and Isle of Arran cheddar to St Andrews cheeses and Graham's The Family Dairy butter.
"We have had serious interest from buyers here in the US and I am confident Americans will soon see a much greater choice of Scottish dairy products on the supermarket shelves."
Brands which will now feature the Scottish dairy logo include:
- Old Edinburgh cheddar, a new to market Scottish cheddar matured for a minimum of 14 months, launching at Anuga
- Mull of Kintyre cheddar
- Isle of Arran cheddar
- Orkney cheddar and smoked cheddar
- Graham's The Family Dairy butter
- Strathdon Blue cheese
- Dunsyre Blue and Lanark Blue cheese
- Cambus O'May cheeses
- St Andrews cheeses
- Barwheys cheeses
- Applesmoke cheddar & Laphroaig cheddar
- Connage Organic Dunlop cheddar
Paul Grant, chair of Scottish Dairy, the organisation which developed the brand and the route to worldwide markets, said:
"The Scottish Dairy Brand represents well-known brands and regional artisan brands and is a major step forward in the promotion of Scottish dairy products to international markets. Products are carefully selected according to strict criteria and only products which are made with 100 per cent Scottish milk or 100 per cent Scottish organic milk can feature the marque on pack. Routes to global markets are supported by well-established dairy logistics co-ordinating partners, ensuring ready access for all customers to this superb variety of value added dairy products from Scotland."
11.11.2015