AFTER expanding its business stateside last year, a Knutsford dairy has now set its sights on the Far East.

Delamere Dairy flew the flag for UK food and drink as part of a groundbreaking recent trade trip to China with Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss.

With products ranging from goats’ milk, butter, yoghurts and cheeses, cows’ milk and soya, the family-run Bexton Lane dairy exports to 17 countries worldwide, most recently, America.

The company is now looking to capitalise on the growing demand for top quality UK dairy products in China, opening an office in Hong Kong.

Upon her return from China, Mrs Truss said: “The UK has a worldwide reputation for producing top quality food and drink and we are increasingly seeing British firms taking advantage of the demand in China for our produce, from whisky and pork to Yorkshire tea.

“I was delighted to be joined on our latest trade visit by Delamere Dairy, who are blazing a trail with their exports to China.”

Businesses across Cheshire are growing due to the increased trade in countries like China, boosting local economies and creating new jobs – Delamere Dairy’s annual turnover of £25 million includes £5m from exports to China alone.

Ed Salt, MD of Delamere Dairy, said: “China is the last frontier for dairy and our business has been lucky enough to capitalise on the opportunities. With Chinese dairy consumption set to increase by 38 per cent by 2022, and the urban population of South East Asia growing rapidly, worldwide demand for dairy will rise.

“It is a great privilege to be part of this trade mission.”