Farmhouse Cheese Sector Reports Successful Year
IRELAND - According to new figures released today by Bord Bia, the Irish Farmhouse Cheese sector is experiencing a boom, with retail sales in Ireland increasing by 43 per cent since 2011, to reach €4 million per annum.
2 May 2013
1 minute read
The total Irish farmhouse cheese sector is valued at over €12 million per year at farm gate level, with exports valued at approximately €4.5 million. The rise in the value of farmhouse cheese sales is largely due to increased market penetration but also an increase in frequency of purchase.
There are currently over 50 farmhouse cheesemakers in Ireland producing over 150 types of cheese.
The new figures were released today on the opening day of the 5th European Farmhouse and Artisan Cheesemakers Congress, taking place at University College Cork.
This is the first time the Cheese Congress will take place in Ireland and over the next three days producers, cheese technicians, health inspectors, academia, trade, media and state bodies from Ireland and other EU member states will come together to share knowledge and initiate collaborations across the farmhouse dairy sector.
As part of the Congress, The Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers (CAIS), in conjunction with Bord Bia, will host a group of over 60 farmhouse cheesemakers from France, Germany, Finland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Spain, and the UK.
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