UK dairy group First Milk has indicated that it hopes to boost exports through the establishment of a strategic alliance with Eilers and Wheeler.
Under the arrangement, dairy supplier Eilers and Wheeler will become First Milk’s “preferred partner” for exports of cheese and packet butter. Eilers and Wheeler is “particularly interested” in exporting added-value products and brands, such as the Lake District Cheese Company, First Milk said.
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First Milk CEO Kate Allum said that the deal would help maximise farmer returns on a sustainable basis by increasing members’ access to world markets.
“Currently world markets are providing strong margins for UK dairy products and with most commentators predicting that global demand will continue, we recognised that we needed an experienced partner to drive our export sales,” she revealed. “We have agreed to move a growing percentage of our cheese make through this route and will evaluate progress on an ongoing basis.”
