Cheese exports from the UK have been improved by the Asian and Oceania markets – with shipments up 17% on last year. Exports totalled 2,300 tonnes in Q1 of 2021, driven by higher demand in both China and South Korea.
China imported 467 tonnes of cheese from the UK, a significant increase from a low base of 64 tonnes during the same period last year. Exports to South Korea rose from 53 tonnes to 165. Cheese exports to Australia increased by 3%, with an additional 26% arriving in New Zealand during Q1.
It has been a challenging quarter for dairy exports, with the new trade environment causing significant disruption to shipments.