Porlammin Meijeri is actively seeking new customers for approximately 300,000 vegan cheese slices after the original buyer disappeared with the order.
The Lapinjärvi-based dairy producer manufactured the goods for a client that turned out to be non-existent, leaving the company with a significant inventory burden and financial loss.
Acting CEO Emilia Bergholm confirmed the situation in an interview with Finnish media outlet IS, stating that the company is now trying to divest the stock.
The fraud case represents a material operational setback for the producer, which had fulfilled the manufacturing requirements before the client failed to materialize or pay.
The incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by mid-sized food manufacturers in international trade, particularly when dealing with new or unverified partners.
For investors monitoring the Finnish consumer staples sector, the event highlights the potential for sudden inventory write-downs and cash flow disruptions due to counterparty risk.