Yester Farm Dairies Secures £1.5m Investment, All Things Butter Takes Significant Stake

Yester Farm Dairies Limited, a Scottish producer of artisan dairy products, has successfully raised an estimated £1.5m in a recent funding round. The investment saw All Things Butter Limited, a corporate entity, acquire a significant ownership stake in the Gifford-based company. The funding round's allotment date was 17 April 2026, with filings completed on 27 April 2026.

Established on 23 March 2011, Yester Farm Dairies has built a reputation for its high-quality range of dairy products, including soft cheeses, cottage cheese, yogurts, creme fraiche, soured cream, and fiore di latte mozzarella. All products are crafted using milk sourced directly from their own farm, emphasising a farm-to-table approach. The company, headquartered in Haddington, GB, supplies its artisan offerings to foodservice and wholesale customers across the UK, in addition to direct sales to outlets throughout Scotland.

The company currently employs 14 individuals, a figure consistent across both its latest accounts and LinkedIn profile. While specific revenue and profit/loss figures were not disclosed, Yester Farm Dairies has garnered recognition for its product excellence, including Great Taste Awards 2 stars for its signature Cottage Cheese, Scotland Food & Drink Primary Producer of the Year in 2019, and Mid and East Lothian Chamber Local Producer of the Year in 2020. The dairy also holds BRCStart accreditation, underscoring its commitment to quality and safety standards for its foodservice and retail partners.

The estimated £1.5m funding round marks a notable development for Yester Farm Dairies. While a specific valuation for the company was not disclosed, the round saw All Things Butter Limited gain between 25% and 50% ownership of shares, indicating a substantial investment and a new strategic partnership. Details regarding previous funding rounds were not made public, preventing a direct comparison of this investment to historical capital raises.

This investment in Yester Farm Dairies comes amidst a dynamic period for the UK food and beverage manufacturing sector, particularly within dairy. The broader UK food tech market reached a value of USD 7.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 19.5 billion by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.78% during 2026-2034. This growth is partly driven by advancements in agritech and biotechnology, as well as increasing consumer demand for personalised nutrition and products with reduced environmental impact.

Within the dairy sector specifically, the UK market is estimated at USD 24.61 billion in 2026, with projections to reach USD 29.41 billion by 2031, growing at a 3.62% CAGR. This growth is supported by increasing demand for high-protein, fortified, and functional dairy products, as well as a shift towards organic, clean-label, and animal-welfare-assured products. Cottage cheese, a key product for Yester Farm Dairies, has notably gained popularity within the high-protein dairy category.

Recent trends show increased momentum in the UK food and beverage sector, with renewed interest from private equity investors and companies pursuing strategic consolidations. In 2025, Food & Beverage Products companies in London saw a 113.52% rise in equity funding compared to 2024. Furthermore, government initiatives are also playing a role, with around £50 million in public and private investment being fast-tracked into innovative tools for farmers to boost productivity and sustainability. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland has also launched funding rounds to support Scottish food and drink manufacturers in making their products healthier, particularly ahead of new High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) regulations coming into force in Scotland on 1 October 2026. These initiatives highlight a supportive environment for innovation and growth within the Scottish food and drink industry, which Yester Farm Dairies is well-positioned to leverage.