20 tons of cheese disappear in Germany due to an online platform

German police have opened an investigation into the disappearance of 20 tons of cheese that was scheduled to be transported from Germany to France through a logistics company operating via an online platform.

Sky News reported that a shipment of Emmental cheese went missing while being transported from a cheese factory in Bayreuth, in the southeastern German state of Bavaria, to an importer in France.

Police stated that a truck arrived at the cheese factory in Bayreuth and was loaded with 20 tons of cheese, but the truck never reached its destination in France.

Investigations have so far yielded no results, and the incident has raised suspicions of fraud involving the online platform, particularly given that the shipment’s value is estimated at around 80,000 euros.

The incident comes amid a heatwave in Europe that has caused significant damage to the agriculture and livestock sectors, fueling growing concerns about sharp price increases for products including dairy and cheese due to the emerging weather-related crisis, according to various reports.

Cheese holds significant cultural and economic value in European societies, especially in France, where it is not only a staple on dining tables but also an important part of the region’s cultural heritage.

Germany ranks as the world’s largest importer of cheese, as well as the top producer in Europe and globally, while France holds the second position among the world’s largest cheese importers.