British cheese and dairy exporter Somerdale International, based at Westpark, outside Wellington, has reported a year of solid growth.

It says global sales increased by 9 per cent in the year to March 31, 2020, sales to the USA reached record levels and trading in the current year remains buoyant despite unprecedented challenges.

Finance director Trevor Debenham said: “During the 2019/20 financial year the business performed in line with expectations.

“Turnover and profitability both grew, helped in no small part by record sales in the US – our largest and most important market. This was despite the unprecedented challenges linked to the imposition in October of the US super tariffs, uncertainties regarding Brexit and, towards the end of the year, the emergence of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“In the current financial year, when we are celebrating our 30th year as a business, it is pleasing to be able to report that our trading has been, and continues to be, very buoyant.

“This reflects, I believe, the fundamental strength and agility of the business; our ongoing focus on developing strong, long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with customers, suppliers and distributors; and investing for the future in both our export capacity and capabilities, and in the development of exciting and truly innovative products and brands that will meet the needs and desires of international consumers.”

The company’s report and accounts for the year ended March 31, 2020, showed turnover increased by £3.5 million – 9 per cent – to £41.9 million compared to £38.4 million in 2019.

About 99 per cent of turnover was generated through export activity and sales have grown by 41 per cent over the last two years.

Somerdale’s US sales reached £19 million, up 17 per cent year-on-year. The company’s sales now represent about 20 per cent of all UK cheese exports to the USA with growth over the past three years exceeding 40 per cent.

Profit before tax increased to £634,532 from £192,155 in 2019 and total net assets have increased to just under £1.4 million.

In the current financial year Somerdale is continuing to trade strongly with half-year sales 6 per cent higher year-on-year.

This is despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, ongoing US tariffs and uncertainties relating to post Brexit trading arrangements.

Somerdale exports British cheese to more than 50 countries worldwide.

Somerdale International has announced it has acquired the blended cheese business of Abergavenny Fine Foods (AFF) for an undisclosed sum.

The deal will see Somerdale acquire the full rights to a number of well established brands including Tintern and Harlech which AFF previously produced in partnership with Somerdale.