LITTLE SPAIN has hosted a
tasting of emblematic and unique cheeses like DOP Cabrales, P.G.I
Queso Castellano, P.D.O Queso Manchego, P.D.O Idiazábal, DOP
Zamorano, Goat's ruller, P.D.O Camerano, P.D.O Murcia al Vino, P.D.O Torta del Casar, P.D.O
Mahón-Menorca, P.D.O Tetilla o P.D.O Arzúa-Ulloa
The campaign "Discover the European Cheestories with cheeses
from Spain", co-financed by InLac
and the European Union, develops a powerful mix of activities such
as attendance to trade shows, exhibitions, tastings and actions at
the point of sale. For its part, the new B2B online platform will
connect companies with large American importers and distributors to
boost business figures.
NEW
YORK, June 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Little
Spain, one of the most
emblematic gastronomic markets in New
York, has hosted one of the most important European cheese
tastings held to date in the US, led by la Organización
Interprofesional Láctea (InLac) - which brings together
all operators in the sector in Spain, from farmers to cooperatives to
manufacturers - within the framework of the promotion campaign
co-financed by the EU "Discover the European Cheestories with
cheeses from Spain".
In 2023, Spain exported more
than 8,700 tons of cheese worth more than 105 million euros to the U.S., making it one
of the main markets outside the EU. According to the latest data
from InLac, these cheese exports from Spain to the United
States continue to have an important weight and in 2023 they
will account for 13.01% in value and 7.41% in volume of total
cheese exports, positioning itself as the third foreign market in
the sector in value and the fourth in volume in this category. But
its growth potential is still, for experts, "enormous."
As highlighted by the managing director of InLac, Nuria María
Arribas, the U.S. is the third most populous country behind
China and India. Within ten years, this colossus will
have almost 350 million people, who will demand increasing
quantities of food, such as European and Spanish cheeses. And per
capita cheese consumption is estimated to increase more than 4.3%
by 2027.
To take advantage of this business opportunity, a revolutionary
new online platform which will connect European and Spanish
companies - and their different DOPs and PGIs - with large
importers and distributors, which anticipates a strong increase in
exports, since it will make it much easier, faster and more
accessible to exchange information and close orders .
The platform, presented by the director of Strategic Planning of
Tactics Europe, Oscar Mozún, includes a practical guide on
the rules and legislation applicable to this market that importers
must comply with, from the registration of establishments with
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the labeling of
these dairy foods, including regulations on additives and
allergenic substances that affect them.
Likewise, "a specialized network will connect importers and
exporters, facilitating the exchange of our high-quality, unique
and differential cheeses," Mozún detailed during the presentation
of the Platform in New York. Added
to all this is the most recent and up-to-date information on
cheeses, events, trade fairs and other activities relevant to
American buyers, and even notices about new market trends.
A wide collection of downloadable materials has also been
designed, within this B2B Platform, to help distributors promote
Spanish cheeses in the U.S. market. "We believe that exports will
benefit from a strong boost thanks to this Platform, which adds to
the promotional actions of the campaign," Mozún foresees.
"Historic" tasting in a market with high potential
Meanwhile, the tasting at Little Spain (MAR Restaurant), in
which North American media and influencers participated, was
directed by the prestigious professional cheese taster Erin T
Connolly, who highlighted the great offer and versatility of
this type of dairy food that come from Europe, Spain. Unique European cheeses shined in the
tasting: P.D.O Cabrales, PGI Queso Castellano, P.D.O Queso
Manchego, P.D.O Idiazábal, P.D.O Zamorano, Rulo de Cabra, P.D.O Camerano, P.D.O
Murcia al Vino, P.D.O Torta del
Casar, DOP Mahón-Menorca, P.D.O Tetilla and P.D.O
Arzúa-Ulloa.
Per capita cheese consumption in the US stands at 17 kg per
person/year, but Americans are developing a taste for specialty
cheese varieties with EU differentiated quality seals (DOP/PGI) and
originating in Western Europe, and
demand in the gourmet cheese category is expected to continue to
grow. The acceptance of ethnic cuisines and the rise of the
Hispanic community has also stimulated sales of European cheeses in
Arribas' opinion.
For the European dairy sector, it is vitally important that
American consumers know the commitment of our production and
processing methods and their differentiating aspects compared to
competitors from third countries. "When we talk about European and
Spanish cheeses, we are talking about environmental awareness,
traceability, food safety and animal welfare that provide excellent
raw materials for the production of the best cheeses," they recall
from InLac.
All of them are differential values that provide competitive
advantages that we must be able to take advantage of in this
immense market. "We have 150 varieties of cheeses in Spain and some of the most renowned figures of
differentiated quality, between designations of origin and
geographical indications, an unrivaled gastronomic treasure,"
Arribas concludes.
The three-year promotional campaign, includes dissemination
actions in New York,
Phoenix, Florida, Las
Vegas, Miami and
Chicago, and has proposed
increasing the level of knowledge about the benefits of our
cheeses, marked by high production standards in force in the
European Union, enhancing its characteristics in terms of quality,
flavor, traceability, food safety and animal welfare. At the same
time, the informative actions aim to increase knowledge about the
variety and diversity of cheeses of European and Spanish origin.
The InLac and EU promotional campaign is promoting knowledge
of European cheeses in a phased manner, emphasizing communication
to professionals, both importers and the Restaurant, Hospitality
and Catering sector, with the aim of multiplying sales in the
coming years.
Watch the video.
Contact:
Ginés Mena
gines.mena@thetacticsgroup.com
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SOURCE Discover European Cheestories with Cheeses from
Spain