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a dram good show

From salmon to Singapore and shortbread to South America, the produce of North-east Scotland's larder is finding favour around the world.

Whisky, shortbread and salmon are among the favourite luxury items produced in the North-east which are delighting taste buds from America to Asia and Africa to Australia.

When 21-year-old Joseph Walker opened the doors of his own bakery in Torphins with a loan of £50 more than a century ago his dream was to make the finest shortbread in world.

He would never have imagined, as he delivered his shortbread by horse and cart, that his descendants would be exporting shortbread, still made to the original recipe, to more than 70 countries resulting in three Queen's Awards for Export Achievement - the highest accolade given to British exporters. The company has now been exporting for more than 30 years and attempts to add a new market every year. Recent successes include Costa Rico and Paraguay although Jim Walker, joint managing director, said: "South America is very tough, it is probably one the most difficult markets.

"Most of our business comes from the core markets which are Europe, North America, Canada and Australia - places where there are ex-patriot Scots.

"The Chamber is invaluable for securing all the documentation like certificates of origin. It is essential for an exporter to be a member of the Chamber.

"Being in the North is no disadvantage logistically because communications are good and there are good services for exporters and the fact that you located are in a little village in the Highlands adds a lot of authenticity to your product.

"There is an aura about being in the North-east which is famous for its Aberdeen Angus beef and its smoked salmon. They all work together to create an area which is a good source of food.

"It gives you a right kick to go somewhere unusual and see your product there."

Gourmet's Choice in the fishing village of Portsoy is also enjoying export success sending smoked salmon around the world.

The Chamber also helps it with the documentation required to send its goods to markets including Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Dubai.
The company, which won a Food from Britain Export Award last year, also exports to Japan, Singapore, Germany, Italy and Portugal and has recently gained a new customer in Athens.

"The certification we require depends on each individual country and the Chamber helps us where we need it," said Sales Director Henry Angus.
"We export smoked salmon, smoked mackerel, kippers and most of the products we export have a reasonably long shelf life.

"We do some shellfish exporting but that requires specialist transport as they have to be shipped live and that is quite a challenge.

"Our customers are mainly hotels, airlines and catering companies and we have distributors in the various markets although in Saudi Arabia we supply hotel chains direct."

He said Scottish salmon was still seen as having considerable status with customers in that part of the world in spite of strong competition from Norway.

"However our view is that service levels are vital to our long serving customers and if you maintain your relationship with them they will remain loyal to you."

Scotland's most famous export however is whisky and Elgin-based Gordon & MacPhail, which claims to be the world's Leading malt whisky specialist, has been in business for more than 110 years and selling overseas for more than 90 of them.

The company's enduring success was recognised in recent weeks when it won a prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade, following a 94 per cent increase in the value of total exports over the last five years.

The company, which also owns the Benromach Distillery, currently exports around 60 per cent of all its bottled product. It recently expanded its export department and plans to boost international sales, which last year amounted to around £3.6 million.

Gordon & MacPhail has remained independent and family-owned throughout its history and offers more than 350 presentations of own-bottled single malts, aged from five to 65 years old, and a stock holding of more than 700 whiskies

"We export to more than 50 markets with the main ones France, the US, throughout Europe, Japan and Russian to name but a few," said Michael Urquhart, Joint Managing Director. Recent new markets include Ukraine, Armenia and Lithuania."

"Whisky is synonymous with Scottish quality and our whisky products come from all over Scotland but we also own Benromach Distillery which is in Forres and in whisky terms is in Speyside which carries a bit of weight for many people."

If you are planning to take your first steps to exporting or if you are an experienced exporter planning to enter new overseas markets the Chamber can provide a wide range of services to help you develop your international business.