NEWRY-based boiled sweets maker Crilco Confections has won its first significant export deal in Spain.
The family-owned business, established in 1974 by Peter Crilly, will supply its premium range of traditional handmade sweets in bags to a distributor in Malaga for stores in the region.
The deal follows an approach from the specialist confectionery distributor who had heard about the company’s popular range of boiled sweets and was keen to introduce them to consumers.
Crilco Confections director David Crilly said: “We were delighted by the approach from the distributor who indicated that he was impressed by the outstanding quality and variety of our successful range of bagged sweets which has also won export business in other parts of Europe as well as China.
“We had to develop the business by email, phone and social media due to Covid-19 restrictions, but aim to meet the distributor when the restrictions are lifted and we are able to travel again.”
He added: “Our market research shows that Spain has considerable potential for premium confectionery and especially in the Costas where there are significant numbers of people from Britain and Ireland.
“The Malaga deal gives up an important springboard to grow our business in Spain in the months and years ahead. We’ll be working closely with the distributor to explore further business opportunities.”
Crilco, which has a staff of more than 30, also sells its range of Newry-made boiled sweets to customers in the Republic of Ireland, the US, Australia, Germany, Italy, France and the Czech Republic.
It is the last remaining producer of boiled sweets in Ireland and among a small number in the UK, and its major customers include discount retailer B&M Bargains.
The company produces its confectionery by traditional methods of mixing sugar and glucose and adding acid and flavours. It currently produces 50,000 bags of sweets a day, which equates to a million bags a month.
