At 13,525t, UK cheese exports were flat in September relative to the same month last year. That volume was lowest since February, and reflected positive trends for cheddar, fresh and grated/powdered cheese which offset falling shipments of mozzarella and other cheeses. Ireland was the leading destination in September, accounting for 22% of shipped volume in the month, followed by Belgium at 14.2% and France at 14%.

UK cheese imports were down 18% YOY in September at 32,465t – the second consecutive contraction as previous months grew on weak prior year comparables. The negative September result reflected declines for cheddar, mozzarella as well as for fresh cheese as imports of other varieties such as processed cheese continued to expand relative to the prior year.