Yester Farm Dairies Enters UK Market

The expansion of the producer’s soft cheese processing unit is thanks to support from Clydesdale Bank, and is the latest development of a partnership which has lasted for more than 20 years through the family’s farming business.

Yester Farm Dairies, run by Simon and Jackie McCreery since 2003, operates alongside the family’s farm and uses milk produced on the farm to produce its range of soft cheeses, traditional-style Mozzarella and spreadable soft cheeses as well as crème fraiche and sour cream.

The business will now be extending its reach beyond the Lothians and Borders into the retail sector across the UK.

Jackie McCreery, director said, “It is an exciting time. We are really looking forward to getting our food service range off the ground over the next six months or so and then hope to develop an innovative retail range in 2016. The first trial batch is done and we will hopefully get final sign-off from our local environmental health officers shortly and so be able to sell products within the next six weeks.

“We were delighted to have recently been shortlisted as a finalist for Dairy Innovator of the Year at the British Farming Awards and we will continue to try new things. Our new soft cheese processing unit will allow us to offer new products, grow the business and break into new markets not only in Scotland but throughout the UK, and who knows, perhaps even export.“

David Hannon, head of agribusiness at Clydesdale Bank said, “We are pleased to continue our longstanding support of the McCreery family. Having worked with them since 1992 they have continually demonstrated their ambition and innovation. I am sure Yester Farm Dairies’ new products will help the business continue to develop and we look forward to working with them in the years ahead. Our specialist knowledge of and focus on different sectors helps to bring a challenge to the market giving small and medium sized business the speed and flexibility they require to fulfil their growth ambitions.”