Now in its final stages of commissioning, funding will be allocated for the installation of specialized equipment for cottage cheese production at Rodda’s facility located in Scorrier, Cornwall. Once this plant becomes operational, it will join an exclusive group of dedicated cottage cheese production sites in the UK.
At optimal capacity, the dairy company anticipates producing 4,000 tonnes of cottage cheese annually, with the creation of 20 new job opportunities. Producing cottage cheese on-site will also enhance sustainability. Rodda’s currently processes approximately 61 million liters of milk each year, with only 7% allocated to its renowned clotted cream, while surplus skimmed milk has largely been sold back into the commodity market.
By integrating cottage cheese manufacturing into its operations, Rodda’s will now be able to utilize a greater portion of its surplus skimmed milk internally. Additionally, this initiative will incorporate new workflows and automation technologies into the Scorrier facility. This move builds on recent investments in advanced production machinery aimed at elevating efficiency, consistency, and technical proficiency throughout the organization.
Nicholas Rodda, managing director of Rodda’s, remarked that this investment aligns with the company’s “long-term ambition to run a more efficient manufacturing business” in Cornwall, guided increasingly by “circular‑economy principles.” He further noted, “This more efficient use of our milk intake will not only support farmgate returns, but also provide more predictable demand for farming families in the Rodda’s supply chain, and strengthen domestic food production resilience.”
The appetite for cottage cheese has surged as consumers gravitate towards high-protein, natural foods. This dairy category has maintained steady demand since the 1970s, typically experiencing sales spikes every January due to post-holiday dieting trends, as well as during the summer months. However, a noticeable increase in demand has emerged recently, largely fueled by social media influencers sharing recipes centered around healthy cottage cheese dishes.
“Cottage cheese is one of the fastest‑growing dairy categories in the UK, and this facility allows us to respond to that demand while getting more value from every litre of milk we buy from our farming families,” said Nicholas Rodda.
According to market data from Worldpanel by Numerator for the 52 weeks ending December 28, 2025, UK spending on cheese rose by 41.9% to reach £102.2 million, while the purchase volume increased by 28.1% to 25.6 million kilograms. Earlier this year, Tesco reported unprecedented demand for cottage cheese, noting a 200% increase over the past two years, prompting the retailer to expand its supplier base and diversify its range of cottage cheese products.
Production at the new Rodda’s facility is slated to commence this summer, while operations at Rodda’s Creamery in Scorrier—known for producing clotted cream, butter, and specialty milk—will proceed as usual.
