Cloughbane pies score in Hong Kong

Cloughbane Farm Foods, a manufacturer of premium pies and other convenience foods in Northern Ireland, has won its first business in Hong Kong.

Based on a family farm at Pomeroy in county Tyrone, Cloughbane has sent a consignment of pies for the forthcoming Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, one of the most important events in the international rugby calendar.

The event, from 7-9 April, attracts some of the world's greatest rugby players and thousands of fans for every corner of the globe to the Hong Kong stadium every year.

Lorna Robinson, managing director of Cloughbane Farm Foods, commenting on the company's first business in Asia, says: "We've been working with Jianzeng Food Trading in Hong Kong over the past few months and were delighted to receive the order to supply our pies there.

"We've sent our lasagne, cottage pie, chicken and broccoli bake, chicken, leek and sweetcorn pie and steak onion and mushroom pie, which we know will be a great success at the event!

"We are delighted to begin our export journey with Jianzeng Food Trading, we know how popular this rugby event is and it is only fitting that they have the best pies! We have been keen to develop our sales beyond the UK and Ireland. This contract in Hong Kong is an important stage in our export journey."

The company, based on a 180-acre cattle and sheep farm in county Tyrone, has been owned and run by the Robinson family since 1906. It is now run by Lorna, husband Sam and other family members.

Other important customers for Cloughbane's range include Tesco, Asda, Musgrave Retail Partners and Henderson/Spar.

In addition to its broad portfolio of ready meals and deli pies, Cloughbane supplies a comprehensive range of fresh beef, pork, chicken and lamb cuts, all from a modern processing plant approved to the highest EC hygiene standards, ensuring provenance and total traceability.

"Wholesomeness is important to us. Our focus, therefore, is on good, honest and wholesome food using only the best ingredients from our farm and suppliers we have known for decades and trust.

"All our products are handcrafted from ingredients, including vegetables, are freshly sourced from our farm and other local suppliers. The beef, for example, that we use in our deli range of pies is sourced from our own Angus and Limousin cattle and hung for at least 28 days to provide a distinctively tender, rich and succulent taste."