Lactimaf – Portuguese Family Cheesemaking Since 1934

For more than ninety years, Lactimaf has represented the traditions of Portuguese cheesemaking from the heart of northern Portugal. Established in 1934 in Santa Maria da Feira, near Porto, the company remains under the ownership of the same founding family, making it one of Portugal’s oldest continuously family-owned cheese producers. Across four generations, Lactimaf has combined traditional recipes with modern food safety standards to produce authentic Portuguese cheeses that are enjoyed throughout Portugal and increasingly sought after by international buyers.

BeeBridge is proud to introduce Lactimaf to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, giving professional buyers access to one of Portugal’s most respected dairy producers. Whether supplying supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, bakeries or specialty cheese retailers, Lactimaf offers an extensive portfolio of premium cheeses alongside practical foodservice solutions backed by reliable production and export experience.

Discover Portuguese Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is one of the fastest-growing dairy categories in Japan, driven by demand from bakeries, cafés, hotels and restaurants seeking premium European ingredients. While buyers have access to a limited selection of imported brands, authentic Portuguese cream cheese remains largely undiscovered. Lactimaf offers Japanese importers the opportunity to introduce a new European origin with more than 90 years of family cheesemaking expertise behind every product.

Unlike products already established in the Japanese market, Lactimaf’s cream cheese provides distributors with genuine differentiation. Produced in northern Portugal using high-quality Portuguese milk and manufactured under FSSC 22000 food safety certification, it combines rich flavour, smooth texture and dependable consistency with the heritage of one of Portugal’s oldest family-owned cheese producers. For retailers and foodservice suppliers, it represents the chance to be among the first to introduce an authentic Portuguese cream cheese brand to Japanese customers.

Lactimaf also understands the needs of professional users. Its cream cheese is available in retail formats alongside 3 kg, 5 kg and 11 kg professional packs, specifically developed for bakeries, pastry chefs, restaurants and food manufacturers. Designed to perform reliably in cheesecakes, desserts, fillings and baked products, it combines artisan cheesemaking heritage with modern commercial production. For BeeBridge, this makes Lactimaf one of the most exciting cream cheese suppliers in Europe and a standout addition to our Discovery Collection for Japan.

This is much stronger because it gives the buyer a reason to care: “Be one of the first to bring authentic Portuguese cream cheese to Japan.” That’s exactly the kind of story BeeBridge is built around.

Authentic Portuguese Cheese with Modern Export Standards

Lactimaf’s philosophy is built upon preserving Portuguese dairy heritage while meeting the expectations of today’s international food industry. The company uses 100% Portuguese milk sourced from its local region and manufactures under the internationally recognised FSSC 22000 Food Safety Certification, providing confidence for importers and professional food buyers. Products can be vacuum packed and supplied with multilingual labels, allowing BeeBridge to support efficient market entry throughout Asia.

Unlike many European producers that specialise in only one style of cheese, Lactimaf produces a broad portfolio that ranges from premium artisan cheeses to retail products and professional foodservice ingredients. This combination makes the supplier particularly attractive for importers wishing to consolidate multiple product categories from a single manufacturer.

A Queijeira – Award-Winning Portuguese Speciality

The flagship A Queijeira range represents Lactimaf’s finest traditional cheeses. Rich, creamy and produced using recipes refined over generations, these cheeses showcase the depth of Portuguese dairy craftsmanship.

The collection includes the classic matured soft cheese, a reduced-fat version and the renowned matured peppered cheese that was recognised as Portugal’s Best Cow’s Milk Cheese for three consecutive years. Matured for more than sixty days before receiving its distinctive peppered rind, this award-winning cheese offers exceptional complexity and is one of the strongest candidates for premium cheese retailers and specialty importers in Japan.

Manjar da Quintã – Portugal’s Creamy Heritage

The Manjar da Quintã collection demonstrates another side of Portuguese cheesemaking. The cow’s milk version offers a smooth, creamy texture and delicate flavour, while the sheep’s milk variety stands out as one of the most distinctive cheeses in the Lactimaf portfolio.

Produced from raw sheep’s milk using traditional thistle flower vegetable rennet, Manjar da Quintã Sheep represents a uniquely Portuguese style that is rarely encountered outside the country. Its rich, creamy interior and authentic production method make it especially attractive for gourmet retailers, luxury hotels and cheese specialists looking to introduce customers to genuine Portuguese flavours.

Rico Flamengo – A Portuguese Classic Since 1934

Lactimaf has been producing Flamengo cheese since the company’s earliest years, following the same traditional recipe that helped establish its reputation across Portugal. The Rico Flamengo range includes whole balls, cellophane-wrapped formats, halves and quarters suitable for both retail and foodservice applications.

Semi-soft with a rich yet approachable flavour profile, Rico Flamengo offers an excellent introduction to Portuguese cheese for consumers while providing professional buyers with a versatile product suitable for delicatessens, supermarkets, restaurants and hospitality businesses.

Saúde – Everyday Cheese for Retail and Catering

Alongside its premium heritage cheeses, Lactimaf also manufactures the Saúde range of processed cheese products. Available as individually wrapped cheese triangles, cream spreads and light versions, Saúde combines convenience with reliable quality.

These products are particularly suitable for hotels, airlines, catering companies, schools and retail chains seeking dependable European dairy products that appeal to a wide consumer audience.

Professional Solutions for Foodservice

Lactimaf understands the requirements of professional kitchens and food manufacturers. Its Professional Solutions range includes individually portioned catering cheeses together with large-format cream cheese in 3 kg, 5 kg and 11 kg formats developed specifically for bakeries, pastry manufacturers, restaurants and foodservice operators.

These products offer excellent performance in baking, cooking and food preparation while maintaining the consistent quality expected from a producer with more than ninety years of cheesemaking experience.

Built for International Export

Beyond its heritage, Lactimaf has invested heavily in becoming a dependable international supplier. FSSC 22000 certification, modern production facilities, vacuum packaging capabilities and multilingual labelling allow the company to serve demanding export markets while maintaining the authenticity of its Portuguese products.

This combination of tradition and professionalism makes Lactimaf an excellent long-term partner for Asian importers seeking consistent supply, strong product stories and dependable quality.

BeeBridge and Lactimaf

BeeBridge is introducing Lactimaf to professional buyers throughout Japan, Taiwan and South Korea as part of its European Discovery Collection. While many Portuguese cheeses remain relatively unknown in Asia, Lactimaf offers an opportunity to introduce consumers to authentic regional specialities supported by nearly a century of family expertise.

Our catalogue includes premium artisan cheeses, traditional Portuguese specialties, retail products and professional foodservice solutions suitable for importers, distributors, hotels, restaurants, bakeries and gourmet retailers. With competitive wholesale pricing, export-ready packaging and reliable production, Lactimaf represents one of Portugal’s strongest dairy partners for buyers looking to expand beyond the familiar cheese selections already available in the Asian market.