The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry met today in Velas with São Jorge cheese Confraternity at a meeting where he praised the work of this institution "in the defence, promotion and dignity of São Jorge Cheese."
 
The São Jorge Cheese Confraternity is a non-profit public utility scientific and cultural association established in 1955 to become the certifying identity responsible for ensuring consumers the uniqueness and specificity of that cheese.
 
At the end of the visit to this island, João Ponte, speaking to journalists, made a "positive" assessment. According to him, production is good and milk prices have stabilised, which is very important to the sector's sustainability."
 
"In addition, industry payments are being made, which is also a factor of stability for production," the government official said, adding that "this was one of the reasons that mostly contributed to the increase in the production of milk delivered in cooperatives and, consequently, in the growth of cheese production."
 
"When we say there is a surplus in cheese stocks, this is not caused by the fact that São Jorge cheese lacks quality or that consumption has decreased. It is rather due to the increase in production, which is significant, and the end of the milk quota system. The surplus of milk created by this situation has led to an increase in the competition from other types of cheeses in the market, namely in the domestic market."
 
"It is important to make an effort to promote and reach new sales channels for São Jorge Cheese, especially in the national and in the Diaspora markets. I think we have the conditions to increase sales in both channels in the near future," said the Regional Secretary.
 
"I leave São Jorge with the assurance that Uniqueijo and LACTAÇORES are doing everything to accomplish this goal as it is very important to the industry and to the economy of an island that is mainly based on agriculture,” added João Ponte.