Uniqueijo

Uniqueijo

Uniqueijo

The Union of Agricultural Dairy Cooperatives of São Jorge

The artisanal production of cheese on the island of São Jorge dates back to the 15th century and the beginning of settlement on the island of São Jorge.

Over time, the knowledge of how to produce cheese has been passed on from generation to generation and its weight in the life and economy of the island of São Jorge has gained more importance.

At the beginning of the 19th century, there were more than 84 cheese factories in São Jorge, which caused a shortage of milk on the island.

The Union of Agricultural Dairy Cooperatives of São Jorge, UCRL - UNIQUEIJO, was created in 1986, in the parish of Velas, the Capital of Cheese. Six traditional cheese production cooperatives joined together:

  • Cooperativa Agrícola de Lacticínios de Norte Pequeno;
  • Cooperativa Agrícola do Norte Grande (atualmente posto de leite);
  • Cooperativa Agrícola de Leitaria de Santo António;
  • Cooperativa Agrícola de Santo Amaro CRL;
  • Cooperativa Leitaria de Manadas SA.
The Union of Agricultural Dairy Cooperatives of São Jorge
The Union of Agricultural Dairy Cooperatives of São Jorge

The cheese ripening process was still carried out in a cold room, provided by the Cooperativa da Beira.

Later, in 1991, it joined the Cooperativa Agrícola de Lacticínios de Rosais, in 2000 it joined Finisterra - Cooperativa de Lacticínios do Topo and, finally, in 2007, a commercial agreement was established with the Cooperativa dos Lourais.

Also during 1986, a fundamental step was taken in the production of our cheeses, with the creation of the São Jorge Cheese Demarcated Region and the regulation of the registration of Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) attributed to the Queijo São Jorge brand. In November 1991, the status of Certifying Entity was granted to the Confraria do Queijo São Jorge.

The current facilities, in Lugar da Beira, in Canadinha Nova, in the parish of Velas, allow for constant and extremely rigorous control of the products produced with the help of the two modern laboratories that support them. Currently, UNIQUEIJO groups four cooperatives: Finisterra, Lourais, Beira and Norte Pequeno, which works as a reception post.

UNIQUEIJO is dedicated to the production, storage, maturing and packaging of the traditional and highly appreciated São Jorge Cheese PDO, always with its objective in mind: to produce high quality cheeses.

Brands

Cooperative Brands Uniqueijo

Certifications

All our products are the result of continuous work and a total commitment to what we do, involving countless people from production to marketing.

Apcer Iso 22000
IFS
Marca Açores
Biosfera Açores
HALAL