GRAHAM’S The Family Dairy has revealed it is in talks with two of Spain’s biggest supermarket chains to list its rapidly-growing protein snack as it builds its strength in export markets.

And the boss of the Bridge of Allan-based firm underlined the importance of ramping up dairy production in the UK, as Brexit uncertainty casts a cloud over future trading arrangements.

Robert Graham jr, managing director of family-owned Graham’s, said the firm’s Protein 22 snack is one of several health-focused, natural products developed by the business which are rapidly gaining traction at home and abroad.

The product, which is sold in Sainsbury’s and Home Bargains stores around the UK, as well as in Tesco, Asda and Scotmid in Scotland, is currently being trialled in several markets in Europe and the Middle East, alongside Graham’s yoghurts and Quark, a soft cheese. Stockists include two of the biggest retailers in the Gulf States – Spinneys and LuLu.

Now, having won awards at the prestigious Gulfood and Anuga trade shows in the Middle East and Germany, talks are at an advanced stage with “two of the biggest retailers in Spain”, which are interesting in listing the product.

Mr Graham said: “We are speaking to a couple of Spanish companies about it. From an international perspective, that is quite exciting. It has won three product awards, [including] two global awards -the Anuga Awards and the Gulfood Awards, which is fantastic.

“It’s says a lot about the quality of product we have. And it is doing well in the UK – we’re just trying to roll it out through retailers. When it is on shelf it performs well.”

Noting that Graham’s also exports to markets such as Belgium, Denmark and Ireland, Mr Graham added: “It is important for our products, particularly the ones which are innovative, that we export them. It’s another string to our bow.”

While Graham’s builds overseas, Mr Graham has become increasingly concerned about the UK’s dependency on imported dairy products. He admits he was startled to discover the UK is currently the second largest net importer of dairy products in the world after China, with 90 per cent of the butter consumed in the UK imported.

Mr Graham said: “When I read that, even I was gobsmacked. As a country, as an industry, we need to do as much as we can [to lift production]. It’s just crazy.”

Graham’s itself is trying to alter the balance as it pursues a long-held plan to build a £20 million national dairy centre in Stirlingshire, which as well as giving it more processing capacity will also include a research and development facility. The plan is part of a broader scheme which also includes the proposed construction of 150 affordable homes, a new primary school, park and other public amenities at Airthrey Kerse.

However, the application is currently in limbo. Having initially been refused by Stirling Council, which voiced concerns over building on greenfield land and potential flooding, Graham’s appealed the decision last year. The application is now in the hands of the Scottish Government reporter. Graham’s partner in the proposed development is housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel.

Mr Graham declined to comment on the issue beyond saying the lack of a decision is frustrating. And, even if the project ultimately goes ahead, and other UK producers take steps to ramp up their output, Mr Graham said it must be accompanied by a simultaneous increasing in processing capacity.

“It’s about the whole supply chain,” he explained. “The industry, at UK and Scottish level, needs massive investment.”

As well as investment, Mr Graham also believes a shift in consumer thinking is needed, so that domestic products are purchased here instead of goods from overseas. He welcomed the commitment some major retailers are showing to locally-made products, but says more can be done.

“And we don’t know what Brexit we are going to have,” Mr Graham added.

“That’s obviously a concern. That’s why we should be grasping these opportunities and getting on with them.”