AN Irish dairy co-operative has secured over £1 million worth of sales in the lucrative United Arab Emirates (UAE) market.
LacPatrick, formed in 2015 as a result of the merger of the Ballyrashane and Town of Monaghan Co-ops, has secured the seven-figure deal through sales of its LP spray dried whole milk and skimmed milk powder.
The success comes on the back of the company attending Gulfood, the world's largest annual food and hospitality event earlier this year. Held in Dubai it attracts from Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) markets, including Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East and South East Asia.
Enda Gallen, international sales manager for LacPatrick said the UAE is a very important market for the business.
“Relationships are a very important part of the Middle East culture and participating at Gulfood was an excellent opportunity to nurture existing relationships and meet with potential new customers. We had been working on an number of deals in the weeks leading up to Gulfood and being able to meet face to face with customers allowed us to get the deals successfully over the line."
“Securing new customers is a very important development for our business and has opened new avenues with which to sell our product ranges, particularly the high quality milk powders which are produced at our new state-of-the-art dairy technology centre in Artigarvan. We have also been able to secure significant further orders with existing customers, which is an excellent development and something we will continue to build on," he added.
Invest NI, who helped support the deal, said LacPatrick has made "impressive strides" in securing new export business.
“LacPatrick is one of several Northern Ireland companies who have had great success in the region, including Antrim Hills and White's Oats," executive director of international business Steve Harper said.
LacPatrick is one of the north's leading manufacturing employers, employing over 300 staff at its Co Derry site in Ballyrashane, its technology centre in Artigarvan, Co Tyrone and the firm's Monaghan operation.
