Fife’s Buffalo Farm is to send their mozzarella to 102 Aldi stores in Scotland. The move comes less than a year after founder Steve Mitchell secured £800,000 in crowd funding to start producing the Italian cheese.

The deal with Aldi Scotland is hoped to triple production of Scotland’s only mozzarella over the next two years, with sales through the discount retailer accounting for up to 50% of total revenue.

Mr Mitchell hopes to emulate the success of the Irish mozzarella sector which now outsells the imported alternative. He said: “The Italians are the original creators of Buffalo Mozzarella, and there is no denying the exceptional quality and popularity of their products. While there are of course similarities between the two, there are differences in the taste and texture.

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“Scotland is renowned globally for its quality of grass and natural larder. Our buffalo feed on this grass all day long, giving their milk a distinctive flavour and freshness.

“Ever since I purchased my first buffalo, I have dreamed of becoming Scotland’s first producer of Buffalo Mozzarella. My journey hasn’t been without challenge, but to be able to raise £800,000 for its development demonstrates widespread belief in this product. There is clearly an appetite for it, and we have seen in Ireland that the fresher, locally produced cheese is now the preferred choice.

“Aldi Scotland is a central part of our story. Without its support, my vision wouldn’t now be a reality, and we are hugely grateful for the guidance its team has provided to help us bring our product to the people of Scotland.”