CHELSTON-BASED Somerdale International, the leading exporter of British cheese to more than 50 countries, is celebrating a record Christmas for sales.

As the last shipments were dispatched from a new, larger, cold store facility at its headquarters, Somerdale projects it will have seen a more than 20 per cent increase in orders for the festive season – with the equivalent of over 80,000 turkeys in weight sold in November alone.

The Christmas sales boost includes an order of 50,000 cases of Westminster Special Edition Cheddar for a major retailer’s Christmas cheeseboard promotion in the United States; increased exports of Blue Stilton to more than 25 international markets; and strong demand for festive treats such as Somerdale’s ever popular Wensleydale & Cranberries.

Somerdale director Alan Jenkins said: “The run-up to Christmas is always an important time of the year for the export of British cheese and this year in particular has been one to celebrate.

“British cheeses are increasingly being recognised for their quality and taste and we have exciting plans for 2017 to develop the promotion of them further in key markets such as the USA and Australia together with emerging markets such as the Far East and Gulf regions.”