Commenting on the firm’s first delivery down under JDM Food Group commercial director Darren Bevan said: “The Australian market represents a fantastic opportunity for JDM to further position itself as one of the world’s leading suppliers of innovative food solutions.
“So we couldn’t be happier about what we hope will be the start of a successful exporting endeavour down under.”
The export deal is for the firm’s Just Add 75g garlic, ginger and chilli purée squeezy tubes.
‘The Australian order’
“The Australian order was the direct result of the work carried out in the UK, where we have seen a great deal of success in both the whole head and added value categories,” said Bevan.
The manufacturer helped forge the contact with the unnamed Australian supermarket chain after attending the Private Label Manufacturers Association show in Amsterdam last year. A deal was signed after the show in May and the delivery left Southampton just before Christmas to arrive in Melbourne just over a month later.
In addition to serving more than 300 UK customers, JDM currently exports a range of consumer-ready products to Scandinavia and ingredient products – such as garlic, ginger and chilli purées – to global food manufacturing partners.
Export destinations included: Russia, Ireland and Holland and the Gulf region. The manufacturer is also in negotiations to supply a range of ingredient products to Israel.
‘Developing an export business’
“Developing an export business is one of JDM’s core strategic objectives,” said Bevan.
“Australia is the furthest destination that we have ever shipped any of our products, representing a new landmark in the evolution of the business – a feat we couldn’t be more proud of.”
Established in 2000, the firm focused at first on supplying a range of garlic varieties to buyers, before moving into the import and supply of ginger. Now, more than 250 food manufacturing sites, the manufacturer has become one of the UK’s leading suppliers of garlic, ginger, sweet potatoes and butternut squash.
Its product range included roasted vegetable mixes, sauces, dips, dressings, mayonnaises and marinades, and innovation services, including packaging and new product development.