Wensleydale jets off to Dubai to take part in world's biggest food fair

Wensleydale is joining a major UK Trade and Investment Northern Powerhouse trade mission to the Gulfood and Halal World show in Dubai to increase exports to key Middle East markets.

The landmark event at the Dubai World Trade Centre runs from February 19 to 25 and is the world’s biggest annual food and hospitality show.

Wensleydale makes 13 per cent of its sales overseas thanks to its award-winning cheeses being available in North America, continental Europe, China, Australia, Scandinavia, the Falkland Islands and Dubai itself.

The business, based at Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales, recently completed a major redevelopment of its premises, including the construction of a new creamery to enable it to increase productivity to meet rising demand.

Wensleydale’s expansion strategy included the appointment of business and product development manager Phil Jones to support export manager Janette Scarth in an initiative to drive growth in new international markets and develop global partnerships.

The expansion programme followed Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese being awarded European protected food name status with Protected Designation of Origin (PGI) certification which ensures clear differentiation in the market from other Wensleydale cheese made elsewhere.

More than 30 businesses from Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West and the North East of England are joining the mission to represent the Northern Powerhouse, a region with a gross domestic product (GDP) of about £350bn and equivalent to the 21st largest economy in the world.