TINE to partner with Dairygold to produce Jarlsberg in Ireland

26-May-2016 - Last updated on 27-May-2016 at 15:10 GMT

TINE says it is partnering with Dairygold to produce some of its Jarlsberg cheese in Ireland to meet its export needs.

Norwegian dairy company TINE is partnering with Dairygold to create a plant in Ireland to expand production of its Jarlsberg cheese.

Because export subsidies in Norway are being phased out by 2020, the export of Jarlsberg will not be profitable, the company said.

TINE chairman Trond Reierstad said that it is important that TINE keeps up production of the cheese for its farmers, and because it forms a large part of the international turnover of the business.

The proposed work involves the construction of a production plant for Jarlsberg at an existing Dairygold plant. TINE and Dairygold have worked together on other projects for more than ten years.

TINE said it exports around 10,000 tons of Jarlsberg annually, and the new plant should provide a similar amount.

Cheese expected by 2019

TINE has produced Jarlsberg outside Norway since 2001, in the US and with contract production in Ireland. Jarlsberg will still manufactured in Norway for the Norwegian market.

The first cheese from the TINE-Dairygold operation is expected in 2019.

Norseland, owned by TINE, is the exclusive importer and sales and marketing agent responsible for Jarlsberg in the US.