Devon --A department store chain in Japan is reserving shelf space for a consignment of 12,000 tins and packets of Cornish fairings, shortbread and savoury biscuits which are due to arrive in its stores this week.
Biscuit brand Furniss has secured its first export deal to Japan with the Hankyu chain, which has 11 outlets on the islands.
"In Japan and the rapidly emerging market of China, companies like Burberry and Range Rover are leading the market for designer clothes and prestige cars, but we are meeting the need for a quality product with a strong brand identity in our own niche," said the Redruth bakery's national and export account manager, David Roberts.
Furniss, which was acquired by pasty-maker Proper Cornish in 2006, has also received an order from a wholesaler in Ghana, with its biscuits anticipated to arrive in West Africa in time for Christmas.
It now has a presence in 16 countries, through trading links established by Mr Roberts via the international confectionery trade fair, ISM, held annually in Cologne.
Furniss has already established a firm foothold in Australia and New Zealand, where the savoury range it launched with Rick Stein in 2010, is selling particularly well.
Regular orders also come from Germany, Poland and Spain. It also sells into the US, via specialist foodie website and this summer supplied US supermarket chain Cost Plus with 4,000 tins of its gingerbread, as part of the retailer's in-store displays of British brands across its 259 stores during the Games.
Mr Roberts said: "Our first order sold very quickly and was soon followed by a second order for another 12,000 tins.
"The Olympics brought even more attention to British products and the potential market out there is huge."
Mr Roberts said that over the past five years, Furniss sales have increased by 88 per cent – compared to overall growth in the UK biscuit market of around 22 per cent– with exports accounting for around five per cent.
The business is aiming to increase its turnover to £2.8 million this year. It is currently in the process of developing a new range, with an eye on cementing a broader retail presence in UK multiples. A further announcement is anticipated in the coming months.
Furniss also makes private label products for other brands, which account for around 40 per cent of its output. It also produces a line of fairings for Danish supermarket chain Dansk, which features both companies' branding. Reported by This is 51 minutes ago.