Arla Foods’ sales of feta in France rose by a 25 % during the first six months of the current year compared to the same period last year.

Although the French cheese market tends to be fairly static, sales of feta are booming. Produced at Arla Foods’ Bov Dairy, Danish feta is sold as own label to the retail sector where it has achieved a market share of 14 % of the total feta market.

”Consumer tests place our feta on the same level as the market leading feta made from ewes’ milk,”explains Marian Buzdugan, Head of Arla Foods in France. ”We expect that new initiatives like consumer-friendly packs with feta cubes in oil and herb mixes will lead to further sales in 2005. The decision to expand feta production at Bov Dairy will also enable us to sign new contracts with French retailers and cut down on lead times.”