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British dairy exporter Somerdale International has acquired the blended cheese business of Abergavenny Fine Foods (AFF) for an undisclosed sum. 

The transaction includes AFF’s blended cheese processing assets, brands and associated trademarks.

The deal sees Somerdale take over the full rights to brands including Tintern and Harlech, which AFF previously produced in partnership with the company.

Somerdale says that the acquisition will enable it to grow its portfolio of blended cheeses developed specifically for the international marketplace.

As a result of the deal, Somerdale will transfer the production of blended cheese to its other cheese making partners, which include Cheshire-based Joseph Heler. 

“We are delighted to have acquired the assets of AFF’s blended cheese business,” said Alan Jenkins, director of Somerdale International. 

“In particular, it will strengthen our position as the leading exporter of British blended cheeses and, working closely with our award-winning cheese makers, it will enable us to give greater focus to the development of brands such as Red Dragon, which is already one of our largest-selling brands in the US market."

According to Somerdale, the acquisition comes at a time when its range of blended cheeses is experiencing strong growth, with branded sales up 10.4% year on year.

“Across both established international markets such as North America and Australia, and new emerging markets such as China, sales of our branded blended cheeses are growing strongly.

“Our acquisition of the AFF blended cheese business will reinforce both our capacity and capabilities in this fast-growing and dynamic part of the market.”