The UK abroad

This week, while the floor has been set under liquid milk prices by UK processor Dairy Crest, there have been new outreaches by the British industry to look elsewhere for profits. On the organic side, the OMSC0 co-operative has secured a deal with the US to supply more organic milk to that coiuntry, thus avoiding some of the tougher conditions found in the UK. Similarly, Scotland is setting up its own dairy brand for overseas and domestic trade.

It does go to show that the dairy market in any country can now not afford to be insular and happy to supply the domestic market. In some ways, it’s a bit overdue for the UK. For a small country to assume that their local consumers will take up any and all milk production, in whatever format, is to set up for slow decline. Cheese makers have been very active in this area, and now the rest of the market is looking outward to secure the future. Will the UK become another dairy powerhouse, ala New Zealand and Ireland? It has a strong base and the milk quality to do it. Watch this space.