Warning over UK cheese shortage amid soaring costs

An award-winning cheesemaker has fired a warning over a shortage of one of the country's most beloved treats. Demand for the Cheshire Cheese Company's products soared in 2021, with managing director Simon Spurrell claiming the country went 'cheese mad' after lockdown.

But he warns that soaring costs are contributing towards a major cheese shortage for the country. It comes as businesses like the Macclesfield-based Cheshire Cheese Company are also having to adapt to the changes brought about by Brexit - with Simon reporting a loss of £250,000 as a direct result, Cheshire Live reports.

With a shortage of cheese in the aftermath of coronavirus, Simon warns that prices rises will affect consumers. He said: "Everybody went cheese mad in 2021.

READ MORE: Manchester's abandoned and 'historic' hippodrome 'crying out to be restored'

"We had a big growth but that has had a knock on effect. The UK is now just beginning to figure there's actually a massive shortage of cheese in the UK.

“In 2020 nobody was thinking of pre-ordering cheese that has to be matured for two to three years. Then consequently big orders were not put in, nobody was going to commit beyond 2021.

“Then 2021 came and all the surplus was used up. So we're presented in 2022 with a very, very large shortage of mature cheeses.

“We’ve already seen 40 per cent increase in the cost of milk. The cost of farming is up, red diesel is more expensive. You're looking at animal feed at 60 per cent up, the general cost of farming has meant that milk prices have to go up.

“So cheese prices are going up. Combine that with the general shortages. Nobody wants to spend the effort and cost to mature cheese.”

The Cheshire Cheese Company recently romped home with five medals,