Huw Thomas Honored for Transforming Welsh Dairy Sector
Huw Thomas, CEO of Pembrokeshire Creamery and Puffin Produce, has received the Outstanding Contribution to the Welsh Dairy Industry award at the 2026 Farmers’ Union of Wales Awards. The award recognizes his longstanding commitment to Welsh agriculture and his role in developing Pembrokeshire Creamery, a £25 million investment that has transformed the Welsh dairy supply chain.
Transforming the Welsh Dairy Supply Chain
The creamery, which began production in May 2024, has addressed a significant gap in the Welsh dairy supply chain. Its state-of-the-art facility in Haverfordwest allows Welsh milk to be sourced, processed, bottled, and sold in Wales at a scale required by major supermarket retailers. This has reduced unnecessary transportation and strengthened supply chain resilience.
Previously, large amounts of Welsh milk were sent to England for processing before coming back to Wales for sale. The creamery has formed supply partnerships with big retailers like Asda and Lidl, and introduced its own Blas y Tir Welsh milk line.
A Lifelong Connection to Welsh Farming
Huw Thomas was raised on a dairy farm near Narberth, Pembrokeshire. His career has been guided by a goal to boost the Welsh food and drink industry and create lasting opportunities for producers. He wants to make sure more of the value from Welsh agriculture stays in Wales.
In his own words, Thomas said, Growing up on a dairy farm in Pembrokeshire, I’ve always understood how important the dairy industry is to our rural economy. Creating Pembrokeshire Creamery was about building something that would make a real, lasting impact on Welsh farmers and the broader Welsh food supply chain.
A Commitment to Sustainability and Transparency
At the heart of Thomas’s vision is a commitment to building a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable dairy industry. He advocates for fair, market-related pricing for farmers and a stronger connection between Welsh producers, retailers, and consumers.
The creamery’s recent achievements include BRCGS certification and being named Farm to Fork Producer of the Year at the 2026 Food & Drink Wales Awards. These milestones reflect a continued commitment to investing in Welsh food production and strengthening the future of an industry vital to Wales’s rural communities and economy.
