Guernsey Dairy has stopped making cheese, with the last lot rolling off the production line before Christmas.
The Dairy said orders will be fulfilled while stocks last, and it expects the island’s shops to have sold out of all types of the cheeses by the end of the year.
The Dairy has previously made mild, mature, and extra mature cheddar, as well as a smoked cheese, and cheese flavoured with garlic and thyme, and chilli, garlic and oregano.
It said ceasing cheese production will free up the space for other “essential operations”.
Guernsey Dairy Operations Director Andrew Tabel said the Dairy had to focus on its core objectives, in particular, as the sole supplier of Guernsey milk to satisfy local demand.
“Guernsey Dairy has a special position in the local community, as the supplier of fresh dairy products that help sustain the island’s rural environment, farming economy and the Guernsey Cattle Breed,” he said.
“We need to repurpose space within the physical constraints of the existing Dairy to accommodate a new milk packing unit and all the peripheral equipment, without interrupting the processing and supply of fresh liquid milk.
“The strategic decision to cease cheese production will facilitate this.”
Cheese sales accounted for less than 1.2% of Guernsey Dairy’s annual revenue in 2024 with a survey suggesting that 25% of local households who regularly buy cheese choosing Guernsey Dairy’s as their preferred choice.
49% of cheese eating household said they choose other brands.
By comparison, 83% of households who buy butter said the local product was their favourite, with 77% of those who buy cream preferring Guernsey Dairy’s products over all other types.
By stopping cheese production, Guernsey Dairy said it can up its production levels of butter, cream and ice cream using the milk that otherwise would have made cheese.
The final batches of Guernsey Dairy cheese were made before Christmas, and orders will continue to be fulfilled while stocks last.
The Dairy said there is currently no shortage, but some varieties are expected to sell out earlier than others.
All types of Guernsey Dairy cheese are expected to disappear from the shelves of local retailers by the end of the year.