Land of fire and skyr

The every three year Nordic Dairy Congress in Reyjavik, Iceland, was a roaring success and I should think the organisers should be quite proud of themselves. Over 300 attendees went on various visits to the golf course, MS Iceland Dairies’ Selfoss operations, plus Skyrland, and the Golden Circle Tour, followed by two days of interesting information and discussions in the city. Plus, there was a dinner trip to a Viking restaurant, where we could throw axes (not at each other) and shoot a few arrows, along with delicious food.

Skyrland itself was quite interesting, as we learned all about the history of this beloved product. “Skyr is the best traditional food. It’s high in protein, and fits very well with today’s lifestyle. Vikings were the original influencers and trend setters,” joked Dr Björn Gunnarsson, director of R&D at MS Iceland.

It is a very timely product, despite its age. The rise of GLP-1 use by some populations of the world mean that getting enough protein is key, and skyr provides that in every spoonful. Exports are increasing from the Icelandic dairies, and consumers are enjoying the variants in 18 markets. It is also produced several countries, all to benefit the farmer-owners on the island.

Our editorial board member Donald Moore was at the conference, discussing the work the Global Dairy Platform and the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero is doing on helping to bring the dairy message to everyone in a sustainable manner. “There are tailwinds for dairy at moment, and the nutrition messaging has come through. We are seeing positive winds, so we have to lean into that and pick up on dairy as a solution to some of the issues facing us in society. We live in a world of plenty in the western world, but this doesn’t exist for the 88 per cent that don’t have this. Dairy is a solve,” he noted. “It is not only nutrition, but is affordable nutrition.” Yes indeed.

Further, Val Bines’ funeral is being held this week, for those in the UK. Letters of condolence may be sent to Mr J Bines, 17 Walden Avenue, Arborfield, Reading RG2 9HR. The funeral will be held at Easthampstead Park Crematorium on Thursday 29 May at 2pm and the wake at Easthampstead Park Hotel, Off Peacock Lane, Bracknell, Wokingham, RG40 3DF. We send our condolences to her family and friends. She will be missed.

• Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
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