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Food and drink in Northern Ireland continues to show significant growth particularly in international markets.

Official statistics from the region’s Department for Agriculture and Rural Development show that the industry’s turnover grew by almost seven per cent to reach &pound3.99 billion at the start of 2012.

Fivemiletown Creamery, Northern Ireland’s original specialist in handcrafted cheese, is now supplying its unique and multi-award winning range of traditional Irish Boilie cheese pearls to three of the biggest supermarkets in the Caribbean.

Award-winning Heavenly Tasty Organics, the Northern Irish manufacturer of frozen organic baby weaning meals, has rebranded and launched new products in a drive to turn enquiries from Britain, France and the Emirates into firm business.

Shamrock-shaped shortbread and oatmeal biscuits from Grace’s Traditional Irish Biscuits, the Northern Irish producer, are now being enjoyed by consumers in Japan.

The company, which is based in Bangor, county Down, has won a series of orders from Osaka-based Otomo Shoji for its distinctively shaped shortbread and oatmeal biscuits following an internet inquiry.

meatconnected.com, connects over 600 professionals from global meat companies through an innovative online environment. Companies such as Samworth Brothers, ABP Food Group, Carrefour Spain, Hilton Food Group, Danish Crown, Tesco, Woodhead/Morrisons, Greencore, Dutch Grill Specialities, Dunbia, Foyle Food Group, Goodmeat B.V., Jean Floc’h, Pukka Pies and many more have members on the system daily.

Diners at one of London’s grandest restaurants, The Gilbert Scott, are now experiencing hand crafted and hand rolled butter from Northern Ireland. The restaurant has placed a weekly contract with Abernethy Butter, the award winning Northern Irish artisan producer.

En Place Foods (UK), the Northern Irish artisan producer of chutneys, culinary oils, vinegars and speciality jams, has won a major contract with the Lanchester Group in Durham to supply a range of products for Christmas hampers.

Maine Mineral Water Company in Ballymoney is being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to grow its export business in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Belfast Distillery Company (BDC) plans to distil its first whiskey in the city’s historic former jail within months. The company, based in a wing at the Crumlin Road Gaol, is to launch a new brand, Jailhouse Poteen, a white spirit with 46 per cent ABV rating, as the first stage in its plans to develop new Irish whiskeys particularly for the huge US market.

Broighter Gold, the Northern Irish specialist in rapeseed oils, has launched an innovative range of flavoured oils and has signed a distribution deal in the Republic of Ireland.