Exporter success highlights global impact of UK Dairy Showcase

One year on from the UK Dairy Industry Export Showcase, exporters are continuing to reap the rewards of the event, with one of the UK’s leading cheese exporters Somerdale International among the companies seeing significant growth in overseas markets.

Since the Showcase, Somerdale has expanded its presence across Asia and Oceania. In Singapore and Malaysia, 19 lines will feature in Cold Storage stores this Christmas. In Thailand, the company has secured listings in Tops Supermarket, part of the Central Foods Group.

Products such as Barbers 1833 are now established in Sam’s Club China and Costco Taiwan, with more to follow. New opportunities are also developing in Vietnam, while strong festive orders are driving growth in Australia and New Zealand.

Somerdale’s success is just one example of how the Showcase, delivered by AHDB in partnership with government and industry, has helped British exporters open new markets and build long-term commercial relationships.

The event brought more than 40 overseas buyers to the UK for a week of farm visits, processor tours and business meetings, culminating in a Department for Business and Trade (DBT)-led Meet the Buyer event where over 320 meetings took place.

Driving export growth

We have continued to build on the momentum of the Showcase, working closely with exporters to ensure British dairy has a strong presence in priority markets around the world.

In the first half of 2025, our International Trade Development team supported 36 UK dairy companies at 14 events, covering more than 130,000 kilometres to deliver trade shows, in-store promotions and dairy education events.

With representatives on the ground in the USA, the Middle East and Asia, we have been at the forefront of championing the quality, provenance and innovation of British dairy.

Record export performance

These efforts are reflected in the latest trade figures. UK dairy exports reached £1.1 billion in the first half of 2025, up 20% on the same period last year.

Demand from Europe has been particularly strong, with exports to France up 41%, Spain up 40%, and Germany up 25%.

Beyond Europe, shipments to the USA rose by 30%, while sales to Asia and Oceania increased by 22%, and exports to the Gulf region were up 28%.

Building on success

The Showcase was designed in consultation with the Dairy Export Taskforce to highlight the very best of UK dairy to international buyers, and Somerdale’s success shows what can be achieved.

By working with industry and government, we will continue to help exporters access new markets and bring the taste of British dairy to consumers around the globe.