Sheep milk coming to shops near you
Kiwis could soon be pouring something different on their cereal with a homegrown sheep milk company poised to launch its product in supermarkets.
After success overseas, Waikato’s Spring Sheep has turned its attention to the local market.
‘‘In New Zealand, most people associate sheep with high-value wool and high-quality meat but this is changing,’’ marketing and innovation director Andrea Wilkins said. ‘‘We have seen a dramatic increase in people asking us where they can buy grass-fed New Zealand sheep milk – most of whom have issues digesting cow’s milk or have children who cannot tolerate cow’s milk.’’
With interest steadily growing, the company will stock its full cream sheep milk in selected supermarkets from early next year.
Spring Sheep chief executive Scottie Chapman said sheep milk had been around for thousands of years and was popular across Europe. Most of the global supply went into cheese production but people were starting to see how it could be used elsewhere, he said.
‘‘Consumers are becoming more educated and aware of the different options and are actively looking for alternatives with beneficial health properties.
‘‘Sheep milk may be an ideal option for those who want the great taste of dairy but have trouble digesting cow’s milk.’’
Wilkins said sheep milk had about twice the protein of cow’s milk and was easier to digest.
‘‘It is also naturally an A2-type milk, free from the A1-beta-casein protein found in most cow’s milk.’’
Since it was set up in 2015, Spring Sheep has launched highvalue sheep milk products in several Asian markets.
In May, the company called for more suppliers to keep up with growing demand from overseas customers. At the time, Spring Sheep had 4000 sheep being milked.