Holland Dairy Launches Ethiopia’s New Flagship Premium Cheese

Holland Dairy has launched a milestone product: a premium-quality cheese made exclusively from fresh, locally sourced Ethiopian milk and developed with cutting-edge Dutch cheese-making technology. The new cheese is set to redefine standards for locally made dairy products and position Ethiopia as an emerging player in Africa’s premium cheese market.

The product was unveiled today during a high-level ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa, attended by government officials, agricultural partners, diplomats, media, and senior business leaders from both Ethiopia and the Netherlands. The launch signals Holland Dairy’s continued commitment to local sourcing, farmer empowerment, and international-quality processing — all while staying rooted in Ethiopia’s growing agricultural economy.

Blending the richness of Ethiopian milk with Dutch precision, the new cheese exemplifies the potential of cross-border collaboration in food processing and agribusiness. According to the company, this is more than just a product launch — it’s a strategic investment in Ethiopia’s dairy sector, which has long sought innovations that balance quality with affordability.

“We believe in the power of local,” said Jean-Paul Rieu, Commercial Director at Holland Dairy. “By partnering with more than 4,000 Ethiopian dairy farmers, we ensure the highest milk quality. With advanced Dutch technology, we now transform that milk into a cheese we believe can rival any on the African continent — and beyond.”

Event highlights included a live tasting of the cheese, paired with both local and global culinary elements, and a virtual tour of Holland Dairy’s newly upgraded facilities, offering guests an inside look at the advanced machinery powering Ethiopia’s cheese renaissance. The event also paid tribute to the smallholder farmers and technical experts whose contributions made the innovation possible.

More than a premium offering, the new cheese strengthens the company’s support for Ethiopia’s domestic value chain. By sourcing exclusively from local farmers and processing within the country, Holland Dairy not only reduces reliance on imports but also creates high-value jobs, boosts foreign exchange potential, and enhances food sovereignty.