ALAN JENKINS | SEPTEMBER 2025 BLOG

I’m writing this as the final ‘Holiday season’ shipments of Somerdale’s celebratory cheese are leaving our base here in Somerset for the US and other countries across the globe. Although we’re on track to record another very strong year, from a trading perspective, we know that we cannot rest upon our laurels. Indeed, our thoughts have quickly turned towards 2026 with a range of exciting NPD launches in the pipeline and with investment in place, we have also commenced the installation of new state-of-the-art refrigerated warehousing which will significantly increase the capacity and capabilities of our distribution hub.

2026 will see new seasonal and everyday launches from Somerdale across the USA, and beyond. To meet the ever-evolving demands of consumers, we will be broadening the range of cheeses that we offer, while we’ll also be moving into new dairy categories. Indeed we, like most businesses, are seeing shifting consumer buying patterns, not least in terms of usage and flavour profiles, and are striving to respond to them at pace to ensure that we meet and hopefully exceed their expectations and desires.

At the same time, we’re also looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones from across the globe at Anuga [Stand No. G010a, in Hall 10.1]. We can’t wait to tell you about our plans for 2026 and beyond and discuss with you how we can work together to bring the very best of British and Irish cheese to your customers. Central to this will be our absolute commitment to celebrating the key attributes of our cheeses namely their consistent quality, naturalness, authentic provenance and of course great taste. While at the same time, we want to bring an excitement and freshness to the cheese case by, for example, creating innovative, taste bud tingling blended cheeses and eye-catching, highly original, packaging formats.

Of course, Anuga is where food and drink producers from across the world come together to showcase their wares and I’m always astounded by the sheer number and variety of products on offer not least in the vast Dairy Hall. However, I’m also very conscious of how the dairy industries of other countries work to positively position their products and it has to be said, in doing so, the amount of financial and other support they seem to receive from their respective governments.

In the UK, we have a fantastic story to tell about our dairy products based upon our reputation for quality, the highest food production and animal health & welfare standards, our sustainability credentials and unrivalled provenance. Yet I don’t think we make the most of all these positive attributes and let the dairy industries of other countries, with arguably a weaker story to tell, position themselves more effectively.

Of course next month sees the anniversary of the British Dairy Export Showcase which saw leading retail and foodservice buyers from across the globe gather in the UK to experience the very best of what British dairy has to offer. Arranged by AHDB, the Department of Business & Trade and the British Dairy Export Taskforce the event was undoubtedly a great success and at Somerdale we certainly benefited from making a wide range of valuable new relationships and securing a number of important new supply routes out to the Far East. Indeed, from Somerdale’s perspective, we hope that the Showcase wasn’t just a one-off event and that the UK Government and the UK dairy industry will be able to replicate it in future years. Needless to say, Somerdale as an individual business, and in partnership with others, will continue to showcase and champion the best of British dairy. We’ll also do what we can to lobby for greater central resources to support and grow dairy exports.

However, in the meantime, we hope to see as many of you as possible at Anuga at the beginning of October.

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