No Manx spreadable butter until the middle of May

Isle of Man Creamery's halted exports to prioritise local customers amid supply issues

The Isle of Man Creamery says its spreadable butter won't be available until the middle of May.

A spokesperson says the butter is produced using the fat that's skimmed off the raw milk provided to the Creamery.

However, it's seen an increase in the number of customers choosing whole milk over its skimmed varieties meaning less fat is being skimmed from the milk.

It also says it's assigning more fat to its cheeses and that the amount of fat contained in the raw milk decreases at certain times of the year.

In the meantime, the Creamery says it's stopped its export of butter, including to a large UK retailer, to allow it to prioritise its local customers.

It's apologised for the inconvenience caused, and says its spreadable butter will be available again from 19 May.

It's the second time this year the product's been off the shelves, after the Creamery suffered issues with packaging in February.