First Export Success for Boozeberries in Turkey

Boozeberries, Northern Ireland's award winning manufacturer of handcrafted artisan liqueurs has won its first export business. Boozeberries, a specialist in berry-based liqueurs, is now selling its unique range of products in Turkey.

The company, based at Dromore in County Down, is supplying the distinctive liqueurs to the country as a result of a distribution deal with Vodkar Ickler in Istanbul.

Barbara Hughes, Sales Director of Boozeberries, said: "We are delighted to have Vodkar as a distribution partner in Turkey, especially in Istanbul, one of the most cosmopolitan centres in both Europe and Asia.

"Our entire range of liqueurs, Zesty Wild Cranberry, Tangy Blackcurrant and Fragrant Wild Blueberry, is now on sale in upmarket bars and restaurants.

"We hadn't really considered Turkey because it was our impression that it is a Moslem country. The distributor, in business since 2004 and new operating throughout the country, encouraged us to look at what is a sophisticated market of some 17 million people.

"The initial approach came last November, and I decided to fly to Istanbul, which was the European City of Culture last year, to see for myself.

"Istanbul has the highest percentage of young professionals in Europe. The city also has a great many excellent restaurants and stylish bars. The distributor loved our products and was very keen to represent us there. As a result of the contract with Vodkar, our complete range of liqueurs is now on sale in many of the city's style bars and in a number of high-end retail outlets.

"We are finding Turkey to be a developing market that repays perseverance and patience. Getting a license to import alcohol into Turkey took a considerable amount of time. We see further opportunities there for our products and will be working closely with the distributor to develop these.

"Our goal is to grow exports to around 75 per cent of business by 2013."

Boozeberries was formed by husband and wife team Stuart and Barbara Hughes in May 2010. The company has gained a string of international awards for its first handcrafted products using cranberries, blackcurrants and blueberries in a grain spirit.

The awards include gold and silver at last year's Wines and Spirits Wholesalers of America, (WSWA), tasting competition in Orlando, Florida and in the UK Great Taste Awards 2010 and 2011.