Pure, Natural Quality Food and Drink from Northern Ireland at Gulfood, 18 - 22 February 2018
Consumers across many countries in the Middle East are coming to value the provenance of their food and there are few better places to source high quality, ethically sourced food and drink products than Northern Ireland.
This region of the world is known for its relatively high rain fall but one benefit of this is the lush grass which gives rise to rolling green pastures helping to produce some of the world's finest meat and dairy products.
In the year till the end of September 2017 Northern Ireland food exports to the GCC region increased by almost 65% and many Northern Ireland are favourites now on the shelves of the likes of Lulu, Spinneys, Choithrams and Danube.
This year, there will be two Northern Ireland stands at the show, one in the World Food Pavilion Sheikh Saeed Hall (S-L40) and the other in the Dairy Pavilion Hall 1 (B2-21).
Read on to learn more about some of the leading Northern Ireland food and drink companies at this year's exhibition.
World Food Pavilion Sheikh Saeed Hall (S-L40)
Antrim Hills: Water Within is situated deep in the hills of Antrim, atop Ireland's only known natural artesian spring. The nutrient rich artesian water which rises from it lies at the heart of Water Within's exciting low sugar & sugar free products. 'Water Within' is available in still & carbonated options as well as a range of delicious, natural, sugar-free flavoured &juicy refreshments for children. 'Vitamin Within' helps you stay in balance & on form thanks to a delicious infusion of real fruit flavours with your recommended daily allowance of vitamins B&C. Water within water is currently available in Dubai Duty Free. Always a good idea to pre-hydrate before a flight. W: antrimhills.com
Boomers Nutrition: Boomers Nutrition is a health, well-being and lifestyle nutrition company. Lifestyle nutrition can play a vital role in our everyday nutrition choices, not only for elite athletes but also for the everyday exerciser who is looking to improve their overall performance, enhance their physique or just eat a little more healthily.
Boomers Nutrition delivers an exciting range of innovative, high quality, trustworthy, premium products that are affordable and taste great!
Their dedicated team of nutritionists, dieticians and elite sport scientists combines the highest quality ingredients with the latest innovation trends to produce the healthiest, tastiest and most affordable products to help fuel your lifestyle and nutritional goals. We need great nutrition to help feed our bodies to sustain our increasingly active lifestyles and genuine performance nutrition has an undeniable place.
Whether you are on a low calorie diet, want a lean and toned physique, need extra energy, enhance elite sports performance or just want something quick and easy Boomers Nutrition has the range of products to fit your requirements.
CocoMojo: CocoMojo has sourced the finest young green Vietnamese coconuts which are great tasting & naturally sweet so there is no need for us to add anything to our water. Our blended coconut water recipes follow the same principals, take the finest pure coconut water & add the best juice to make great tasting blends. They have won quality & taste awards three consecutive years in a row & in 2016 launched their latest recipe blending Coconut Milk, Coconut Water with the finest Arabica coffee to create a nutritious low caffeine drink. W: drinkcocomojo.com
Crust & Crumb Bakery Ltd: At Crust & Crumb Bakery they pride themselves on being one of Ireland's leading manufacturers of fresh pizza and pizza bases for the retail and food service sectors. Crust & Crumb consists of 2 state of the art production facilities one of which is a dedicated Gluten Free site. Both sites are under the watchful eye of the in-house quality team. A dedicated team of craft bakers has been producing pizzas for over ten years. They offer a full range of stone baked and deep pan bases in sizes from 7" to 18" both sauced and un-sauced. They also have their own NPD team for development of fresh pizza, breads, wraps and stuffing products in both private and branded label. Their close working relationships with both loyal customers and suppliers has enabled them to be the best in the business. W: crust-crumb.com
Free'ist: Free'ist has an extensive range containing 20 sugar free & no added sugar products. Free'ist was introduced after a growing demand for tasty snacks within the 'Free-from' category, for consumers who wanted to eat better for a healthier lifestyle. Some of the products, as well as being sugar free/no added sugar, are gluten free - making them suitable for coeliacs. Products include cookies, tea biscuits, chocolate, jams, popcorn & chocolate wafers. Free'ist indulges your craving for the little treats you love, without letting sugar get in your way. But unlike other sugar free brands, the company actually puts flavour first! W: freeist.co.uk
Glens of Antrim Crisps: Glens of Antrim crisps has created a range of Sweet Potato Crisps & Thick Cut Jacket Potato Crisps which come in a variety of different flavours. Selecting only the finest produce the company has created full on flavour hand cooked crisps to create its signature punch long-lasting Two Taste Sensation across both ranges. The crisps are all gluten free & contain no artificial colours or flavours. The core business is 'Glens of Antrim Potatoes', a family run business for over 40 years which specialises in potato growing & packing for grocery multiples across Ireland & Northern Ireland. The Range comes in bold punchy flavours. W: goacrisps.com
Kettyle Beef & Lamb: Kettyle is the original dry aged company that still holds firm the principles that the customer expects and deserves the very best. Their passion for quality has driven them to go a little further, by differentiating through sustainability and salt cave aging - giving extra means of control and improvement. The salt aging process is very much about making Dry Aging better, through a more stable environment of a salt wall and its ionization properties. Experience has proven to us that maturation is an art, that it can't be about a 'fixed' number of days. It's about the individual animal, the specific cut, the seasonality and the environment. From this methodology, Kettyle will strive to alleviate any variability and produce a consistently superior product - achieved and proven only by knowledge. Their Meat is the result of a constant pursuit of perfection. The maturation, the craft and knowledge from yesteryear leads to a much more exciting catalogue of butchery than the modern day understanding of loins and mince. W: kettyleirishfoods.com
Lakeland Dairies (NI) Ltd (Pritchitts): Pritchitts, the foodservice division of Lakeland Dairies, produces a range of UHT whipping & cooking creams including its marketing leading brand Millac Gold. Pritchitts' expertise lies in technically advanced dairy production to provide chefs, caterers & bakers the convenience of longer life products without compromising on taste or quality. Pritchitts' markets span the globe, supplying customers in over 70 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia & Africa. Its flagship product, Millac Gold, was developed by chefs for chefs & is extremely versatile with a delicious dairy taste. It delivers great whipping stability, sharp piping definition & a whipped yield of up to three times its volume. When used in cooking, Millac Gold thickens quickly and doesn't split, even when used with acidic ingredients.
Linwoods Health Foods: Linwoods is a long established family owned business that manufacture a range of premium bakery, dairy and health food products. Their health foods are sourced from only the finest quality natural ingredients, selected from the best suppliers around the world, to ensure the highest quality standards. They are then produced in a BRC (British Retail Consortium) Grade AA standard facility and sold throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe, America and Asia. Their range of organic milled seeds, nuts and berries are nutritionally dense to support a healthy, balanced diet and active lifestyle. Simply add to any meal, any time of the day.
SHS Drinks: At SHS drinks they have a thirst for creating great brands, offering an exciting portfolio of premium soft drinks. Their Bottlegreen presses & cordials are sourced from the finest fruits, roots and botanicals, presenting inspiring flavours delivering clean taste perfection. No&More naturally flavoured water, stands by a philosophy to keep your mind and body hydrated in a healthier way, with a neutral pH and naturally sourced flavours, you can enjoy a great taste, with no guilt. For over 80 years, Shloer has been at the heart of the party: your bubbly sidekick, ready to bring the sparkle whatever the occasion. Made with real fruit juices, you won't find any preservatives, flavourings or artificial colours in any bottle. W: shs-drinks.co.uk
Whites Speedicook: White's has been based in Tandragee on the same site for 175 years and its growth and development was the contribution to commercial milling made by successive generations of a single family- the White family. Its success is down to investment over the years in brand, scale and technology- since the company's inception in 1841 it's never stood still always innovating and always growing. They pride themselves in taking time but believe it's worth the wait; from carefully selecting only the finest quality grain to slowly kilning to deliver the distinctively nutty taste of White's Oats, they guarantee only a perfect oat makes it into your bowl. W: whitesoats.co.uk
Willowbrook Foods: Willowbrook Foods is one of the largest processors of bagged lettuce and prepared vegetables in Ireland. They create high quality mashed potato, roast vegetables, carrots and swede products for the convenience and manufacturing market.
The fresh food producer supplies a wide range of time-saving products, including ingredients for upmarket ready meals, retail and food service customers.
The multi-award-winning company has continued to garner accolades over the past year, endorsing both the high quality of the product range and the company's ambitions for growth and prosperity. The most recent was 'Fresh Produce Manufacturing Company of the Year' at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, known as the FMEA Oscars.
The driving force behind the company, John McCann, MBE founded Willowbrook Foods back in 1968 on the family farm in Killinchy, Northern Ireland.
Wilson's Country Ltd: 'You Say Potato' is the convenience potato brand from Wilson's Country, Ireland's leading potato supplier. 'You Say Potato' provides quick, convenient, easy potato solutions. A fresh, tastier alternative to frozen potato products. The range consists of both raw and pre-cooked products. Raw products include fresh cut chips and fresh cut sweet potato chips - simply peeled, cut and ready to cook in their handy pouch packs. Also whole peeled potatoes and baby potatoes with a garlic and herb butter in microwaveable pouches. The pouch packs are unique in this market and provide real stand out with a modern, fresh, colourful look to brighten up what can be a bland fixture. The pre-cooked products include spicy wedges and garlic and herb diced potatoes in oven ready trays with a cook at home time of just 15 minutes. You Say Potato - We Say fresh, easy, convenient potato solutions! W: wilsonscountry.com
Dairy Pavilion Hall 1 (B2-21)
Greenfields Ireland Ltd: Greenfields Ireland Limited was established in 1992 and, from its formation it has grown to employ a workforce of 30 people with offices in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Nantwich, England, Australia, New Zealand and Dubai, UAE.
Greenfields is an international dairy trading company. The company is a leading supplier of dairy ingredients, specialist milk products and finished dairy products throughout Europe, the Middle East, South America, the Far East and Africa. Greenfields Ireland LLC was established in August 2001 and operates an office in the heart of Dubai to serve the needs of an extensive client base in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Yemen and the wider MENA region. W: greenfieldsireland.com
LacPatrick Dairies: LacPatrick prides itself on its exceptionally high quality dairy products. The company supplies leading retailers, food service and industry customers in Northern Ireland and across the globe with fresh dairy products from its manufacturing sites. The portfolio extends to a large range of quality milk, cream, butter, buttermilk, yoghurts and desserts. A significant part of the business is export-led with powdered milk, cheese and butter being distributed worldwide. LacPatrick's 'LP' brand powdered milk has an excellent reputation for quality in World Powder Markets and is a brand leader in West Africa. W: lacpatrick.com
Glastry Farm Ice Cream: Glastry Farm are Northern Irish producers of luxury dairy ice cream and dairy free sorbets. Fifth generation farmer Will and his family have been producing this range since 2007. Only the most premium milk produced from the award winning pedigree dairy cows is used to produce this luxury ice cream fresh on the farm. You won't find any artificial colours or flavourings throughout the Glastry Farm range. The range is made the traditional way to give a quality product like no other. Their products are egg free and a wide selection is gluten free, with their sorbets being suitable for vegans. Glastry Farm aim to supply retailers, food service and consumers with the best quality products and this has been reflected in the numerous awards. It truly is Super Duper Ice Cream! W: glastryfarm.com
Quinns Gelato: Quinn's is a family-run business based in the heart of Northern Ireland, County Tyrone. They produce a range of hand-made Gelato that includes Scoop Gelato, Gelato Cakes and Gelato Sticks (lollies).
Quality: They use local Irish Milk and Cream complimented with authentic Italian Premium ingredients. With Quinn's, quality is key to everything they do.
Innovation: They are always introducing new products and flavours. Because they make their Gelato by hand, they are able to theme cabinet displays several times per year, such as Hallowe'en, Christmas, Mothers' Day, Valentine's Day and Easter. Their Gelato Cakes and Lollies are similarly themed to maximize sales opportunities.
Customer Service: They are the largest Gelato producer and wholesaler on the island of Ireland. They are committed to their customers and will deliver within 24 hours of an order being received.
Green Thinking: They strive to always use the most environmentally positive equipment, processes and packaging as possible. W: quinnsgelato.com
Invest Northern Ireland supports new and existing businesses in Northern Ireland to grow and compete internationally and promotes Northern Ireland as a UK/European location for investment and a destination for education from boarding schools through to post graduate study.
For more information regarding Northern Ireland food and drink companies in UAE and Oman please contact Senior Business Development Director, Ms. Sheethal Rishi on sheethal.rishi@investni.com or call +971 5 6115 1199.
In Saudi Arabia and North Africa please contact Regional Director for Trade and Investment, Mr. Wissam Saadi wissam.saadi@investni.com or call +966 5 5819 3834.
In Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Iran please contact Regional Director for Trade and Investment, Mr. Noel Johnston on noel.johnston@investni.com or +974 7762 3519.
For marketing and media enquiries please contact Mr. Gary Osborne on gary.osborne@investni.com or call +971 5 6161 5113.
Please follow us on: Twitter @InvestNI_IMEA
LinkedIn Invest Northern Ireland - India, Middle East, Africa
Instagram investni_imea