Friday, 01 July 2011 14:46

A Brighton couple’s artisan soft drinks business has gone global with an export deal that has put the Sussex company on the international map.

Gran Stead’s, which is run by husband and wife team Chris and Rosemary Knox, first started exporting its flagship product Gran Stead’s Ginger Wine to Estonia in 2009 when a retailer made contact with the couple via their website.  In recent months, they have seen their export trade grow.

“At first, we distributed small quantities just to Estonia,” explains Chris. “Then last November we had a large order out of the blue from a health food retailer and distributor in Lithuania for their Christmas trade. “Initially they ordered  a couple of pallets of our Gran Stead’s Ginger Wine, but within weeks they called back to increase the order for a Christmas rush. And now they’ve varied their orders to include our bottles of Gran Stead’s Traditional Lemonade. More recently we’ve had enquires from Poland.”

Gran Stead’s is proud to be contributing to an increasing export market to the Baltic States. In 2010, total exports in the food and drinks market to the region reached just under £100 million, which accounted for 25% of all exports to the Baltic States. Food and drink exports to Lithuania alone reached over £10 million.  And now Chris is developing new drinks following interest for new flavours from suppliers in Estonia and Lithuania.

Peter Warren, International Trade Adviser and food and drinks sector specialist with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in the South East is delighted to hear of Chris and Rosemary’s success.

"I congratulate Gran Stead's on breaking into the Baltic market. This demonstrates the range of opportunities that exist for UK SMEs internationally, often in countries that they wouldn't immediately think of,” he says.

"There is good evidence to show that businesses that export are more innovative, productive, profitable and resilient.  The success of firms like Gran Stead's sends a strong message to companies in all sectors, some of which may have been in business for some time but have yet seriously to consider the export option, of the wisdom of internationalising their business. For any companies encouraged to take this step, UKTI can help them prepare to export, identify the best markets for their products or services, and make the right contacts."

Gran Stead’s has been producing and distributing traditional non alcoholic ginger wine across the UK since 1994. For many years the wine – based on a 150 year old recipe – was bottled on the kitchen table, but now the company operates from its premises at Mile Oak Farm, Portslade.  They have recently added two new handmade drinks to their range: Gran Stead’s Traditional Still Lemonade and Still Lemonade with a Zing of Ginger.

As well as making and marketing their drinks, Chris and Rosemary spend many weekends selling them at country shows and fairs, a full list of which is on the website www.GranSteadsGinger.co.uk.  In 2009 Gran Stead’s Ginger Wine was awarded the highest accolade in the Great Taste Awards, Three Star Gold, and went on to win Best Speciality of the South East.