A Gloucestershire food business is expecting its sales in Australia to reach £500,000 over the next five years after establishing a growing market in the country.
Cheltenham-based Bay’s Kitchen produces a range of soups, sauces and condiments for people with special dietary requirements, including dairy free, gluten free and IBS-friendly low FODMAP products.
The business was established by entrepreneur Hayley ‘Bay’ Burdett in 2015, following her own experience of struggling with IBS symptoms.
The company has seen its exports to Australia rise by 150% over the past year and is forecasting its overseas growth to continue.
The company is part of the Great British Food Programme, an initiative for the Department of International Trade (DIT) delivered by Bristol-based chamber of commerce Business West.
The scheme aims to support UK food and drink producers to engage with international buyers across the world with events, workshops, and an online directory.
Bay’s Kitchen commercial director Ben Hayes said DIT had put the company in direct contact with British Consulate General Ludmilla Broyde in Australia, who had helped to facilitate their exports to the market.
Mr Hayes said: “ We’ve got an excellent trade adviser, Barbara Hollyhead, who has been so helpful and efficient in answering our questions.
“For example, in terms of packaging, although in Australia it’s English speaking, the way we label things in the UK is not in the nutritional format they want.
“Barbara has also been extremely supportive in introducing us to contacts who can give us advice on the best routes in and customs clearance for example. She’s also introduced us to potential customers.”
Read More Related Articles China’s growing middle class drives South West exports rise, report finds Read More Related Articles Gloucestershire golf company sees US sales triple during pandemicIn June, the UK agreed the outlines of a trade deal with Australia, its first to be negotiated from scratch since leaving the European Union.
The government has said the tariff-free agreement will make British products such as cars, Scotch whisky and biscuits cheaper to sell into Australia.
According to DIT data, Australia was the UK’s 20th largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2021, accounting for 1.2% of total UK trade.
Last year, the total value of goods exported from the South West to Australia amounted to £238m, accounting for 5.9% of the UK’s total exports to the market.
Paul Shand, head of trade for DIT in the South West, said Bay’s Kitchen’s success in Australia demonstrated the demand for “high-quality UK goods” overseas.
Mr Shand said: “Trade will play an important role in getting our economy back on track and Bay’s Kitchen is a great example of how companies can look to lucrative overseas markets to boost their sales whilst creating more jobs.
“Companies such as Bay’s Kitchen may well benefit from future trade deals, working with DIT will ensure they are kept abreast of developments and opportunities.”
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