From Latvian farms to Canadian kitchens, versatile dairy products bring European craftsmanship to everyday meals and moments

MONTREAL, Aug. 31, 2026 /CNW/ -- From breakfast and quick snacks to family dinners, weekend brunches and entertaining, Latvian dairy products are bringing new flavours and versatility to Canadian tables. Featured through the "Premium European Products: Better Knowledge, Better Choices" campaign, the range of Latvian dairy products showcases the country's dairy traditions, quality and craftsmanship while introducing Canadian consumers to versatile products suited to both everyday meals and special occasions.

Produced using high-quality milk sourced from local farms, Latvian dairy products combine longstanding dairy traditions with modern technology, strict EU food safety standards and comprehensive traceability systems.

The opportunity comes as Canada's dairy sector continues to show strength. According to Farm Credit Canada's 2026 Food & Beverage Report, dairy product manufacturing sales are forecast to grow 3.6% in 2026, reflecting continued demand for dairy products across the Canadian market. (source: here)

A Taste of Latvian Dairy

The collection brings together a diverse selection of products, each with distinctive characteristics and uses:

Cream Cheese: Smooth and creamy, available in a variety of flavours, cream cheese is a versatile choice for breakfast, snacks and desserts, from spreading on toast and bagels to cheesecakes and glazes.

Curd Snacks: Made from smooth, homogeneous curd and available with chocolate, cocoa or caramel coatings, these treats can feature ingredients including raisins, candied fruit, coconut, nuts and berries for a convenient sweet snack.

Sour Cream: A Northern European staple with a clean, tangy flavour and smooth texture, sour cream adds richness to soups, meat sauces and salads and is a natural topping for loaded baked potatoes.

Milk Drinks: Available in fruit and berry varieties, these convenient milk drinks are suited to breakfast, a midday break or an everyday snack, with selected options made with minimal sugar.

Processed Cheese: With a soft texture and excellent melting properties, processed cheese works equally well spread on bread and crackers or incorporated into soups, sauces, pastries and other warm dishes.

UHT Cream: Processed at ultra-high temperatures to provide extended shelf life before opening, UHT cream is a convenient kitchen staple for sauces, soups, desserts and coffee.

Semi-Hard Cheese: Matured under controlled temperature and humidity, semi-hard cheese develops its characteristic flavour, aroma and texture. Made with milk, salt, starter cultures and rennet, it is ideal for slicing, cooking or sharing.

Organic Semi-Hard Cheese: Made with locally sourced organic milk and matured for at least 40 days, this cheese offers a smooth texture and robust flavour, making it suitable for both everyday meals and entertaining.

Cottage Cheese: Made from curdled pasteurized skimmed milk, cottage cheese has a fresh, delicate character and can provide 11–17 g of protein per 100 g, depending on the product. It can be enjoyed with bread or potatoes or incorporated into pancakes, desserts and other recipes.

Salad Cheese: A lightly salted, feta-style cheese made from high-quality cow's milk, salad cheese has a creamy texture and tangy flavour and can be sliced or crumbled over salads, vegetables and other dishes.

Join the Movement: Connect with Premium European Products

We invite Canadian food professionals, chefs, retailers, and distributors to explore collaboration opportunities with the "Premium European Products" campaign. For more information on where to find these premium products or to learn how to partner with the campaign, please visit https://premiumeuropeanproducts.eu/, email us to info@premiumeuropeanproducts.eu or follow us on social media:

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ETHEAS and LDC invite Canadian importers, distributors, and foodservice leaders to explore these exceptional European products and form collaborations that support shared goals of quality, transparency, and sustainability.

About "PREMIUM EUROPEAN PRODUCTS" PROGRAM

The campaign: "Premium European Products: Better Knowledge, Better Choices" is co-funded by the European Union and managed by the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS) and the Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC). It aims to promote exquisite added-value products in Canada, South Korea, and Malaysia, including PDO olive oils, table olives, dried grapes, saffron, hard cheese, mastic gum, and mastic oil from Greece, as well as dairy products, candied fruits, chocolates, confectionery, and salty snacks from Latvia. Spanning from 2024 to 2026, the program seeks to significantly elevate the profile of European products in these markets through a four-pronged approach: raising awareness, enhancing recognition among consumers, increasing consumption, and boosting exports to Canada, Malaysia, and South Korea.

The beneficiaries: The National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS), established by the Greek State Law, coordinates over 300 agricultural cooperatives across Greece, representing about 80% of the total turnover of such cooperatives. It focuses on rural and cooperative development, supports member activities domestically and internationally, issues opinions on agricultural matters, supervises cooperative promotion, and conducts educational activities. The Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC), established in 1995, represents Latvian milk producers and aims to protect their interests. It consists of 17 members producing approximately 80% of industrially produced milk in Latvia.

SOURCE Premium European Products