Man arrested in robbery of more than 22 tonnes of British cheese worth more than $600,000

The company said it was still paying cheesemakers Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork so they would not have to bear the cost “despite the significant financial hit.”

Neal’s Yard Dairy has appealed to cheesemongers around the world to contact them if they suspect they are being offered or sold stolen cheese, particularly fabric-covered cheddar in 10kg or 24kg bags with labels removed.

Tom Calver, manager of Westcombe Dairy, which produced some of the stolen cheese, said he was “very upset” when he heard the news.

Calver, 42, was worried about the consequences of the theft.

“This is a huge, very difficult loss,” he said.

Neal’s Yard said it was working with police to identify the perpetrators.

“Is it ridiculous that, of all the things to steal in the world, there are 22 tons of cheese?” said Calver.

“What this shows that amazes me is the value people place on these wonderful artisan-made foods.”

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has asked his followers on social media to be wary of “truckloads of luxury cheese” being sold “cheaply”.

He told his 10.5 million followers: “There was a grated cheese robbery. Some of the best cheddar cheese in the world has been stolen.”

Oliver called it “a real shame” and added: “If anyone hears that luxury cheese is going for cheap, it’s probably some mistake.”

His post stated that the cheese was worth £300,000 ($647,000).

“In the fast food sector, in the commercial sector, will they tear it from the fabric, cut it, grate it and throw it away? I don’t know; Stealing seems like a really weird thing to do.”

Calver’s Westcombe cheddar cheese is aged for 12 to 18 months and the stolen cheese was produced 15 months ago, he said.