Regional Government supports campaign to promote São Jorge Cheese

The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry, through the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, has approved the application submitted by the Union of São Jorge Agricultural and Dairy Cooperatives (UNIQUEIJO) to carry out a campaign aimed at increasing the promotion and sale of cheese.

In addition to the tasting of São Jorge Cheese at various points of sale, this campaign includes videos and posters as well as the distribution of promotional kits.

Under the legislation that regulates the support to producers' organisations and cooperatives, the Region subsidises this campaign with the sum of 200 thousand Euros, while the remaining will be supported by the fund of UNIQUEIJO.

For the Azorean Government, the support to the project promoted by UNIQUEIJO is justified insofar as São Jorge Cheese is a fundamental and structuring product for the island's economy that employs many people and generates wealth in the sector.

Moreover, the campaign will also contribute, indirectly, to enhance the projection of dairy products produced in the archipelago, also allowing UNIQUEIJO to provide an outlet for cheeses currently in stock.

UNIQUEIJO has recently faced difficulties regarding the provision of an outlet for the cheese in stock due to the increase in the quantity of certified São Jorge cheese.

The Regional Government, in collaboration with UNIQUEIJO, has been developing a series of actions and events to promote São Jorge Cheese, thus creating new business opportunities and identifying new markets.

The São Jorge Cheese is classified under the Protected Designation OF Origin (PDO) and bears the "Azores Brand" seal. It is a totally natural and traditional product that is exclusively made from raw cow's milk. Currently, it is manufactured in three factories.

The cheese is available in different formats, whole rounds (about 10 kilos), quarters and wedges; the ageing process ranges from 3 to 24 months.

The Azores register an annual production of 29 thousand tonnes of cheese, representing about 50% of the national production.