Cheese Theft on the Rise as Organized Crime Targets High-Value Dairy Products
Source: DairyNews.today
A recent heist in the UK, dubbed “the grate cheese robbery,” has highlighted how lucrative the luxury cheese market has become for organized criminals. In October, 22 tonnes of premium British cheese, valued at over £300,000, vanished after a fraudulent order was placed under the name of a prominent French supermarket chain. The stolen cheese, which included rare varieties such as Hafod, an 18-month-aged cheddar from Somerset, has yet to be recovered.
Patrick Holden, the dairy farmer behind Hafod cheese, was initially thrilled with what he thought was a landmark order for his farm. “It was the biggest order for our cheese we’ve ever received,” he said, noting his excitement that a French distributor had shown interest. That excitement turned to dismay when the cheese disappeared shortly after collection, with no trace left behind. A 63-year-old man was arrested in connection with the case but was later released on bail, and the cheese, amounting to nearly the weight of four elephants, remains missing.
This incident is one of many in a growing wave of food-related crimes, with high-end cheeses increasingly becoming a target. Organized crime groups have recognized the rising value of dairy products, with some specializing in the theft and illegal trade of items like Parmigiano Reggiano and aged cheddar. Rising costs tied to inflation and increased production expenses, partly driven by the economic impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have pushed prices higher, making luxury cheese a particularly attractive target.
“Cheesemaking is energy-intensive, and prices have seen significant increases,” said Patrick McGuigan, a dairy industry expert. “The appeal for criminals lies in both the rising value and the lower legal risks compared to drugs or other contraband.” In the UK, some cheese varieties have seen price hikes of up to 6.5% in 2024 alone, further fueling demand in the black market.
The illegal trade in cheese isn’t confined to the UK. Parmigiano Reggiano theft has plagued Italy, and Russian sanctions on EU imports have led to a thriving underground market. Professor Chris Elliott from the Global Institute for Food Security notes, “Cheese and wine are among the top products smuggled into Russia.”
To combat these thefts, the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium has begun embedding microchips in cheese rinds to verify authenticity, although data on the technology’s effectiveness is still pending.
As luxury cheese continues to attract organized crime networks, industry experts warn that without increased vigilance and improved security measures, cheese heists may become even more common.
This incident is one of many in a growing wave of food-related crimes, with high-end cheeses increasingly becoming a target. Organized crime groups have recognized the rising value of dairy products, with some specializing in the theft and illegal trade of items like Parmigiano Reggiano and aged cheddar. Rising costs tied to inflation and increased production expenses, partly driven by the economic impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have pushed prices higher, making luxury cheese a particularly attractive target.
“Cheesemaking is energy-intensive, and prices have seen significant increases,” said Patrick McGuigan, a dairy industry expert. “The appeal for criminals lies in both the rising value and the lower legal risks compared to drugs or other contraband.” In the UK, some cheese varieties have seen price hikes of up to 6.5% in 2024 alone, further fueling demand in the black market.
The illegal trade in cheese isn’t confined to the UK. Parmigiano Reggiano theft has plagued Italy, and Russian sanctions on EU imports have led to a thriving underground market. Professor Chris Elliott from the Global Institute for Food Security notes, “Cheese and wine are among the top products smuggled into Russia.”
To combat these thefts, the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium has begun embedding microchips in cheese rinds to verify authenticity, although data on the technology’s effectiveness is still pending.
As luxury cheese continues to attract organized crime networks, industry experts warn that without increased vigilance and improved security measures, cheese heists may become even more common.
