Issuu

CHEESE & DAIRY

Brit popular! Clawson Farms elaborates on future trends and how looking closer to home can deliver versatility and exciting menu opportunities.

EVOLVING PREFERENCES Industry insights from Mordor Intelligence show the UK dairy market size is estimated at US$23.75 billion (£17.4bn) and expected to reach $28.44bn (£20.8bn) by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.67% during the forecast period of 2025-2030. And foodservice provides a crucial growth driver for the dairy industry, with restaurant and café spending reaching $111.34 billion in 2021. Increasing diversity of the population has led to greater demand for a variety of dairy products used in different cuisines, from Italian pizzas to Indian curries. Evolving preferences for convenience, sustainability and health-conscious options have sparked innovation in product 1 development and packaging too. Bill Mathieson, managing director at Clawson Farms, said: “With consumers wanting premium and customised options, additional toppings are a powerful upsell opportunity. We all know that cheese

40 232_P&P_Feb26_p34-40_Cheese_G AB.indd 40

remains the essential driver of pizza satisfaction, delivering the melt, stretch and savoury flavour diners expect. The right cheese not only boosts perceived value but also elevates all other toppings, helping operators differentiate their offer and grow revenue through upgraded builds and chef-inspired combinations.” Davide Donisi of Zia Lucia Pizza trialled Clawson Farms Stilton® and Rutland Red: “I like to find ingredients to differentiate a pizza. While Gorgonzola is a classic, British Blue cheese brings a fantastic depth and brings an Italian/British twist. “Clawson Farms Stilton Crumb melts really well, and when this cheese is used on a pizza it imparts a buttery texture which absorbs into the base when resting. As it cools, it gives the dough extra flavouring. There is a lot of umami notes from this cheese, and when you contrast that with something sweet, it is amazing!” WOW FACTOR Where food comes from is important, with provenance, sustainability and heritage playing a key role in purchasing decisions. Around 76% find British provenance appealing, reinforced by a strong desire to support local economies (50%) and an appreciation for the heritage behind British ingredients 2 (46%). Cheeses of British origin, produced using sustainable practices, are perceived as genuine value – enhancing

menus and aligning with expectations. For operators, supporting British cheese and produce meets growing demand, while enabling strong menu storytelling and a clear commitment to quality, sustainability and local supply chains. Clawson Farms’ cheeses play an important part in the story of ‘edible’ Britain – from traditionally aged territorials to characterful, contemporary blends that bring the ‘wow factor’ to grazing platters and cooked dishes. Its ongoing quest to champion Stilton as a versatile and contemporary ingredient, for all meal occasions, continues: “Thirty years ago, our Blue Stilton became the first British cheese to gain the prestigious PDO status,” continued Mathieson. “And in this celebratory year, it’s only fitting that we forward with our ambition to bring Stilton to a wider audience. “This year, we will team up with UK culinary colleges to inspire the next generation of chefs by educating on Stilton’s heritage and encouraging catering students to reimagine this iconic cheese.” Find out more at clawson.co.uk. 1 Mor Int ‘UK Dairy Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts Up To 2030’. 2 Bidfood & CGA NielsenIQ Trends 2024.