A new Dairy Sheep Cluster has been initiated at the Royal Welsh Show, uniting farmers, processors, retailers, academia, and industry participants to enhance the growth of a sustainable sheep milk sector in Wales.
Established by Food & Drink Wales, this cluster emerged from research commissioned by the Welsh Government that explored the commercial viability of sheep dairying. The findings underscored the rising global appetite for sheep milk products and revealed the potential to cultivate a premium dairy segment, leveraging Wales’ well-rooted sheep farming tradition.
While the formal launch signifies the creation of an essential collaborative network, its overarching goal is to forge an integrated supply chain that can support effective production, processing, and market advancement.
The cluster is designed to promote teamwork throughout the value chain, facilitate the exchange of knowledge, and create commercial avenues for sheep milk products. It plans to engage producers, aid food enterprises venturing into this market, and establish the necessary conditions for sustained growth within the industry.
Llŷr Gruffydd MS, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, remarked that this initiative signifies a vital progression for Welsh agriculture and food manufacturing.
“The establishment of the Food & Drink Wales Dairy Sheep Cluster marks a significant step towards unlocking new opportunities for Welsh agriculture and food production,” he stated. “The Welsh Government’s research has unveiled substantial potential for sheep dairying in Wales. Coupled with increasing market demand and strategic infrastructure investments such as the Sheep Milk Dairy at Glynllifon, we have a robust foundation to expand this sector.”
He emphasized that “The cluster will play a crucial role in uniting expertise across the supply chain, fostering a resilient, innovative, and commercially sustainable industry.”
Building the supply chain within the sheep milk sector presents unique challenges compared to established dairy industries, necessitating coordinated investment across all aspects of the value chain, from production and processing to product development and retail.
The cluster aims to tackle these challenges by convening organizations that can collectively contribute to establishing a commercially feasible industry. It will collaborate with producers, processors, manufacturers, retailers, educational institutions, and support networks to enhance technical capabilities and bolster market confidence.
Partners in this endeavor include Glynllifon College, which is developing a specialized Sheep Milk Dairy and hands-on demonstration facility, as well as Farming Connect, which will assist farmers and food businesses looking to enter this sector.
James Holloway, the lead for the Food & Drink Wales Dairy Sheep Cluster, emphasized that this initiative builds upon several years of research and collaboration across the industry.
“The formation of the cluster builds on years of research, engagement with industry stakeholders, and partnerships fostered by the Welsh Government,” he explained. “The research illustrated significant potential for sheep dairying in Wales and revealed a positive interest from both producers and the broader supply chain. The cluster will act as a platform for collaboration, enabling stakeholders to pinpoint opportunities, tackle challenges, and support the growth of a successful Welsh sheep milk industry.”
For processors and food manufacturers, this initiative opens avenues to diversify premium dairy offerings as consumer interest in specialty cheeses, yogurts, and other value-added dairy products continues to rise.
Carwyn Adams, managing director of Caws Cenarth, highlighted their experience with sheep milk’s commercial prospects, particularly through their Black Sheep cheese.
“At Caws Cenarth, we have directly observed the potential of sheep milk through our Black Sheep cheese, which has successfully showcased the distinct characteristics of sheep milk to a wider audience,” he stated. “There is a growing demand for premium dairy products with authentic provenance and quality, and Wales is well positioned to capitalize on this burgeoning market opportunity. The establishment of the cluster is an essential step in uniting producers, processors, and industry partners, thereby strengthening the supply chain and creating new possibilities for Welsh sheep milk products.”
As the sector evolves, synergy among producers, processors, manufacturers, and retailers will be crucial to address the technical and commercial challenges of scaling new sheep milk products in the market.