Dale Farm to end production at County Tyrone creamery

Fivemiletown creamery site, located in County Tyrone, is 'no longer feasible' (Photo: Google Maps)
Fivemiletown creamery site, located in County Tyrone, is 'no longer feasible' (Photo: Google Maps)

Belfast-based Dale Farm, a co-op of 1,300 dairy farmers from across the UK, has announced it will end production at its Fivemiletown cheese factory.

The dairy business said the creamery, located in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, is 'no longer feasible'.

Production will be moved back to the Cullybackey plant in June.

The firm has leased the factory from Fivemiletown & Brookeborough Co-op since 2014 after buying their speciality cheese brands.

The company said: “Following careful consideration, maintaining production of Fivemiletown cheese at the Fivemiletown site was deemed no longer feasible.

“Dale Farm is keen to ensure the Fivemiletown brand remains active in Northern Ireland and will continue to produce Fivemiletown goat's cheese.”

The move puts 18 jobs at risk.

Dale Farm, one of Northern Ireland's largest food businesses, has an annual turnover of around £500m.