Glastry Farm ice cream wins first export success in UAE

Kircubbin based Glastry Farm Ice-Cream has secured its first deal outside the UK and Ireland to supply its ice-cream to Pure UAE in the United Arab Emirates.
Invest NI chief executive Alastair Hamilton pictured at Gulfood with Chloe Burgess from Glastry Farm Ice-CreamInvest NI chief executive Alastair Hamilton pictured at Gulfood with Chloe Burgess from Glastry Farm Ice-Cream
Invest NI chief executive Alastair Hamilton pictured at Gulfood with Chloe Burgess from Glastry Farm Ice-Cream

The company’s success in the UAE was announced on Monday by Invest NI chief executive Alastair Hamilton during a visit to the Gulfood exhibition in Dubai.

“There is a wealth of export opportunities in the UAE for Northern Ireland food companies and it is great to see another Northern Ireland company achieving success here.

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“This is Glastry Farm’s first export success in the Middle East. The company was first introduced to Pure UAE during an Invest NI inward buyer visit to Northern Ireland last year which helped it to secure the contract. It’s great to see them now exhibiting here at Gulfood, looking to build on this success.”

Chloe Burgess, production manager from Glastry Farm Ice-Cream said: “We are delighted to have secured a deal with Pure UAE in Dubai.

“This is our first business outside of the UK and Ireland and Invest NI’s support has been very important to us in making this major step into international markets.

“Had they not provided the opportunity for us to meet potential buyers from the Middle East we would never have had the chance to showcase our products and build a relationship with Pure UAE.”

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Mr Hamilton said Gulfood was recognised as a significant springboard for Northern Ireland food and drink companies to enter and win new business in the UAE market.

“This year we are helping 17 Northern Ireland companies to attend as part of the Northern Ireland stand and we will be supporting them to identify potential new partnerships and export opportunities.”

Between October 2016 and September 2017, Northern Ireland food and drink exports to UAE totalled almost £9 million, with food exports increasing by over 62% to £4m.

“The scale of business opportunities here is endless and I would encourage local companies to get in touch with Invest NI and see how we support them to explore new markets”, he added.

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During his trip, Mr Hamilton visited Saudi Arabia and Dubai where he held a series of business meetings with potential investors and supported export trade development.

The deal will see Glastry Farm supply a range of its award winning ice cream and sorbets to Pure UAE’s extensive network of retail and foodservice customers in the UAE.

“The meeting with Pure UAE took place at our production unit in Kircubbin and served as a great relationship builder,” said Ms Burgess.

This is a very exciting opportunity to have our brand recognised on an international stage.

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“We understand that relationships are key to winning new business in this market which is why we have chosen to attend Gulfood. We have been very encouraged by the contacts we have made today and look forward to building on our success,” she added.