The London Deli Company, a York-based luxury food manufacturer, is aiming to achieve a 30 per cent increase in exports of its range of snacks, confectionery and preserves in 2019.

Exports at the company, which has supplied the royal family, British Airways and Harrods, increased by a third in 2018, with international sales generating 80 per cent of its total revenue. This year, the company is planning to boost its sales throughout Germany, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries.

Since being established in 2011, the London Deli Company has supplied distributors and retailers around the world, including the US, Canada, Hong Kong, China and the Middle East.

The company’s export initiative has been supported by International Trade Advisers (ITAs) involved in the Food is GREAT campaign, the cross-departmental programme organised by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for International Trade (DIT).

The London Deli Company’s managing director, Craig Benton, said: "We wanted to launch a food company that could be instantly recognised internationally as a premium brand. By using 'London' in our brand name, we are able to instantly embody the prestige and quality associated with the UK.
"British manufactured food products are already known for excellence in overseas markets, which is an added bonus when speaking to potential customers.

"It's these perceptions of Britishness that helped us to launch The London Deli Company as an internationally-focused brand. But while we've enjoyed significant export growth, it hasn't been without its complexities. Language barriers, logistics and international law each presented challenges for us, but with support from organisations like DIT and Defra we've managed to overcome these and successfully grow our exports."

The London Deli Company has a workforce of ten employees and supplies premium crisps, chocolates, biscuits and jams, amongst other luxury food items.