Some 14 Irish cheese producers were honoured at the 118th International Cheese Awards in Nantwich recently accumulating some 69 awards. Irish cheese producers, in conjunction with Bord Bia, participated at the Nantwich & South Cheshire Show in the renowned Cheese Marquee where the awards were held. Organisers said they had their biggest year to date receiving an all-time high of over 4,600 entries from 274 exhibitors based in 31 different countries. Irish cheese accrued 8 trophies, 19 gold medals, 17 silver medals, 17 bronze medals and 8 very highly commended from the 200 expert judges. A full breakdown is available in the Notes to Editor.
The export value of Irish cheese grew by around 5% to reach over €175 million in 2014. The UK accounts for close to 60% of cheese exports while strong increases were evident to international markets such as Japan, the US and Saudi Arabia. In terms of farmhouse cheese, some 50 cheesemakers now produce more than 150 types of cheese. The sector has continued to experience recent export growth targeting 25 markets worth approximately €5 million.
Award Details
Mossfield Organic Farm, based in Birr, Co. Offaly, was awarded The Waitrose Trophy for ‘Best Cheese in Specialist Cheesemakers’. Other trophies went to Kerry, Glanbia and Carrigaline Cheese.
Medals were also awarded in a variety of categories. Gold medals were awarded to Glanbia, Kerry, Ornua, Cahill’s Farm Cheese, Old Irish Creamery, Dairygold, Mossfield, Cashel Blue, Green Pastures and Carrigaline. Silver medals went to Glanbia, Kerry, Ornua, Carbery, Mossfield, Dairygold, Carrigaline, Green Pastures and the Tipperary Cheese Co. The full list of winners including bronze and highly commended are copied in the Notes to Editor.
Speaking after the awards, Eimear O’Donnell, Bord Bia’s Consumer Dairy Manager, said, “Irish cheese consistently stands up when judged against our overseas counterparts and the industry’s awards haul this year vindicates that and recognizes the individual producers’ input. Bord Bia is confident that the Irish dairy sector’s reputation in terms of sustainability, quality and innovation will ensure it succeeds internationally as it realizes its potential following the lifting of dairy quotas.”
For more information, visit www.internationalcheeseawards.co.uk
Pictured is Ralph Haslam of Mossfield with the trophy at his farm in Offaly.