Spreading the word for new Graham's butter

GRAHAM'S, the dairy operator, is gearing up to launch its first spreadable butter in a move that it believes could prove as valuable as last year's introduction of semi-skimmed organic milk.

The new product is expected to reach shelves next month following the start of production at the firm's recently-expanded Airthrey Kerse Farm in Bridge of Allan earlier this week. Graham's claims to be the first Scottish dairy to produce spreadable butter, one of the fastest-growing segments within the near-1 billion UK market for butter and spreads.

The company has invested 1.2 million in the new machinery at its Stirlingshire plant, which was installed by specialists from France.

Managing director Robert Graham said the slightly-salted spreadable butter could be as significant as the launch of 1 per cent organic milk.

The new line has played a significant part in getting Graham's products stocked on a UK-wide basis with Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's. This expansion was the main driver of growth last year at the dairy, whose unaudited accounts for the year to March show a rise in turnover to about 50m, up from 41m previously.