International growth for Prima Cheese
Seaham-based Prima Cheese has secured its first overseas orders worth about £100,000 after attending two international food exhibitions.
The company attended the Gulfoods in Dubai and ANUGA Cologne exhibitions after signing up to the UK Trade & Investment's Passport to Export programme. It has since secured two orders from Lebanon and Dubai, each worth about £50,000.
Prima Cheese was established in 1996 and produces mozzarella, grated and block cheddars and mozzarella cheese string for stuffed crust pizzas.
Commercial director Nagma Ebanks-Beni said: "We made the decision at the start of 2011 that we were ready to explore international markets. However, we did not envisage achieving target sales so quickly – far sooner than the time frame we anticipated."
Jeff Bean, UKTI's international trade adviser, said: "Prima Cheese has followed a very structured approach, which I believe is an essential start for any export drive and are beginning to see the fruits in a relatively short time frame."
