Latest news

Dohertys, the Northern Irish meat processor, has seen sales of its gluten-free pork sausages grow 20 per cent per annum since launching in Asda’s Free-From section throughout the UK in September 2009.

Classic Mineral Water Company in Northern Ireland has won business in the US for its sparkling and flavoured water products that could be worth over ?250,000 this year.

Cold-pressed rapeseed oil from Broighter Gold gained the Overall Product of the Show and the Best Packaging awards at the recent International Food, Drink and Hospitality (IFEX) show in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Ruby Blue, premium handcrafted liqueurs from Spirited Drinks Ltd in Northern Ireland, has won its first business in Scandinavia with a distribution deal in Sweden.

The company, which is based at Dromore in County Down, has recently shipped the first consignment of its unique Ruby Blue branded berry liqueurs to a major distributor in Stockholm, 4Great Wines, a leading supplier of wines and spirits to many of the top cocktail bars in the Swedish capital and other cities.

Suki Tea, the award winning boutique blender, has launched two new gourmet teas from China as part of its focus on the afternoon market in hotels and cafes.

Grace’s Irish Biscuits, based in Bangor, has won significant business from 40 major department stores in Germany for its award-winning homemade biscuits.

Linden Foods, the red meat processing subsidiary of Northern Ireland’s Fane Valley
Co-Operative, saw a 43 per cent rise in the volume of retail sales through an investment in innovation and new facilities last year.

IFEX 2012 is set to showcase the latest in product developments and new business solutions to help visitors’ businesses flourish in the future. Taking place from 24 to 26 April, in the King’s Hall, Belfast, there’s also free-to-attend learnShops seminars, the Product of the Show awards, ChefSkills, daily ‘cook-offs’, live kitchens, food demonstrations and so much more.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced that Ditty’s Bakery has won a listing from Dean & DeLuca, the US gourmet and speciality food retailer.

The Minister announced the food industry’s latest export success during a visit to the award winning bakery in Castledawson, where she met Robert Ditty, the Managing Director, who was named UK Baker of the Year in 2011.

Poultry processor Moy Park is Northern Ireland’s biggest company, according to a new survey of the region’s Top 100 businesses. The company, now owned by Marfrig, Brazil’s leading meat business, recorded a turnover of ?921 million this year.