First Mid East business for Northern Irish dessert producer

Cottage Catering in Northern Ireland has won its first business in the United Arab Emirates from Spinneys for a range of desserts.

The company, based in Dromore, county Down, is supplying Spinneys in Dubai with eight dessert product lines for 15 supermarkets across the UAE.

Austin Moore, Cottage Catering general manager, says: "This is a very exciting development for us in a completely new and dynamic market. We're encouraged by the new business and feedback from customers to our range of products that includes cheesecakes, trifles, sundaes and ganaches.

"We are working closely with the team at Spinneys to exploit what is a very significant new business opportunity being assisted Pan Euro Foods in Dublin, which is handling distribution for us.

"Dubai is the latest market developed by us following a series of deals for our range of desserts in European markets including the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and Sweden.

"The contract with such an influential and respected retailer as Spinneys positions us for fast growth in a very vibrant and discerning marketplace. Demand for quality products from the United Kingdom is expanding rapidly because of increasing affluence among expats as well as locals.

"Dubai is also an ideal hub from which to build business throughout the Middle East, South East Asia and Africa," he adds.

Cottage Catering was established in 1989 by husband and wife Hertford and Phyllis Arnold to develop and manufacture desserts. The company currently employs 63.

Formed in Cairo in 1924, Spinneys opened one of the first supermarkets in Dubai in 1962. There are now 30 across the Emirates including 21 in Dubai.

Pic Cap L - R:Northern Ireland Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster pictured in Spinneys, Dubai, with Austin Moore of Cottage Catering and Colette Shannon, Spinney's Communications Manager.