British cheese exports were up 29% in the first three months of the year to almost £143million, according to figures from AHDB.
The farm levy body said almost 40,000 tonnes of British cheese were exported around the world in the first quarter of 2017.
The bulk of sales were within Europe, with exports to the continent up 8% to 34,279 tonnes. Sales to Asia and Oceania region rose by 36% to 1,798 tonnes.
“These latest figures are very encouraging for the dairy sector. It is fantastic to see that cheese from Britain is in demand around the world and markets are recognising our high quality and sophisticated products,” said AHDB senior exports manager for dairy, Lucy Randolph.
“While exports to Europe are still incredibly strong, it is also very encouraging to see non-EU exports have grown since the start of the year. It is important with Brexit that we look further afield for opportunities for our exporters.”
She said AHDB Dairy had expanded its trade development programme in a bid to promote speciality cheeses around the world.
This has included promotion of premium cheese in India for the first time, work promoting British cheese in Hong Kong in April, and attendance at trade shows in Chicago and Hong Kong in May.
