Estonia to export cheese to the EU - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Eurofood, August 31, 2000

Vru Juust, the largest producer of cheese in the Baltic state of Estonia, which produces around 3 500 tonnes of cheese a year, is to export its first batch of cheese abroad. The company has signed a contract to export 170 tonnes of cheese to Denmark, only a week after receiving the necessary quality certificate from the EU. Vru Juust now hopes that this boost will enable them to increase production by up to 20% next year.

Heiki Pensa, chairman of the Estonian firm, foresees many more contracts with other Western European nations. He said that other countries are very interested in the Vru cheese and negotiations are currently taking place. Vru Juust hopes that it can increase exports to over 1 000t to the EU, and another 1 000t to neighbouring Russia. Vru Juust currently exports around 65% of its produce abroad, mainly to Russia, and the company has a 20% share of the domestic market. The company, which employs around 200 people, recorded a turnover of EeK150m (9.5m [European Dollar]) with a profit of EeK12m.