Huw Thomas, CEO of Pembrokeshire Creamery and Puffin Produce, has been recognised for his contribution to the Welsh dairy sector, receiving the Outstanding Contribution to the Welsh Dairy Industry award at the 2026 Farmers’ Union of Wales Awards.
The award recognises Huw’s longstanding commitment to Welsh agriculture and his pivotal role in developing Pembrokeshire Creamery, a landmark investment that has helped transform the Welsh dairy supply chain by bringing large-scale milk processing and bottling back to Wales.
Growing up on a dairy farm near Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Huw has maintained a lifelong connection to Welsh farming. His career has been driven by an ambition to strengthen the Welsh food and drink industry, create sustainable opportunities for producers and ensure more of the value generated by Welsh agriculture remains within Wales.
This ambition was central to the establishment of Pembrokeshire Creamery, which began production in May 2024 following an investment of approximately £25 million.
Developed in response to a significant gap in the Welsh dairy supply chain, the state-of-the-art facility in Haverfordwest has enabled Welsh milk to be sourced, processed, bottled and sold in Wales at the scale required by major supermarket retailers.
Previously, significant volumes of Welsh milk destined for Welsh supermarket shelves were transported to England for processing before returning to Wales for sale. The development of Pembrokeshire Creamery has helped address this longstanding inefficiency, reducing unnecessary transportation, strengthening supply chain resilience and creating greater opportunities for Welsh dairy farmers.
Pembrokeshire Creamery has also established supply partnerships with major retailers including Asda and Lidl, alongside the recent launch of Tesco Organic milk and Morrisons coming on board later this month. The Creamery has also launched its own Blas y Tir Welsh milk range, providing consumers with authentically Welsh dairy products while supporting local farming communities.
At the heart of Huw’s vision is a commitment to building a more transparent, efficient and sustainable dairy industry, with fair, market-related pricing for farmers and a stronger connection between Welsh producers, retailers and consumers.
Commenting on the award, Huw Thomas, CEO of Pembrokeshire Creamery and Puffin Produce, said:
“I’m incredibly honoured to receive this award, particularly from an organisation that represents the farmers and communities at the heart of Welsh agriculture.
“Growing up on a dairy farm in Pembrokeshire, I’ve always understood the importance of the dairy industry to our rural economy. Establishing Pembrokeshire Creamery was about creating something that would make a genuine, long-term difference to Welsh farmers and the wider Welsh food supply chain, as well as giving consumers the opportunity to buy Welsh milk, sourced and bottled in Pembrokeshire from farms within a 30-mile radius of our creamery.
“I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved, but none of it would have been possible without the dedication of our team, the support of our farming partners and the confidence of our retail customers. This award is a reflection of that collective effort, and we’re excited to continue building on what we’ve started.”
The recognition follows a period of significant progress for Pembrokeshire Creamery, including achieving BRCGS certification and being named Farm to Fork Producer of the Year at the 2026 Food & Drink Wales Awards.
This reflects a continued commitment to investing in Welsh food production and strengthening the future of an industry that remains central to the country’s rural communities and economy.
