Dairy exports 2008
Total exports of dairy products grew 9.7% in 2008 to £837.9m. Ireland remains a
key market overall, +10.7% to £317.7m, followed by France +4.4% to £64.5m.
Source: Leatherhead Food International
Cheese exports were up 16.7% to £281.5m. All the top markets contributed to this high growth
(Ireland +10.6% to £90.2m, France +20.2% to £42.7m, Netherlands +29.4% to
£29.0m).
- Cheddar cheese accounted for £96.7m (+24.9% including 23.6% growth to £42.5m for
Ireland, 31.0% growth to £12.5m for the Netherlands, 20.1% growth to £8.9m for
the US, 47.2% growth to £6.7m for Germany, and 29.6% growth to £6.3m for
France).
- The territorial cheeses (Lancashire, Cheshire, Wensleydale etc.) saw export
growth of 10.8% to £10.1m, the US remaining the stand-out market (exports to
the
US
grew 13.2% to £7.1m, 69.8% of the total).
- Fresh cheese accounted for £72.6m (+4.8%), processed cheese for £59.3m (+28.6%),
and blue-veined, primarily Stilton, for £10.5m (+10.3% including 8.3% growth to
£4.9m for the USA, and 14.2% growth to £0.8m for France).
Milk and cream (not concentrated/sweetened) exports were up 10.9% to £203m. Ireland accounts for two-thirds of this category and
was up 22.6% to £134.2m. Concentrated/sweetened milk and cream, up 10.8% to
£178.4m in 2008, is a commodity export product with large volumes traded to
Africa in
particular.
Exports of yoghurt, up 9.9% to £42.9m, were driven by a 13.0% rise to Ireland, which accounts for
the lion's share (79.4% in 2008).
Butter/dairy spread exports at £55.0m, however, were down 16.8% with a big fall in the top market, Italy
(-33.5%).
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More information
Research carried out by Leatherhead Food International for the Food and Drink
Federation (June 2009)
Last reviewed: 03 Jun 2009