Loch Duart in top 200 UK exporters
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SUTHERLAND seafood company Loch Duart has joined the list of the UK’s fastest growing international sales stars.
The business, which exports salmon to 20 countries, including its main markets of Belgium, France, Spain and Italy, makes its first appearance on the ninth annual Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 list thanks to export growth of 57 per cent over the last two years.
The International Track 200 ranks the 200 top British mid-market private companies with the fastest growing international sales. Loch Duart’s international sales are now worth £34.5 million out of a total turnover of £42.5 million.
Headquartered in Scourie, Sutherland, Loch Duart was founded in 1999 and has 109 employees.
It is one of 10 Scottish companies, and the only one from the Highlands, to make this year’s list.
Also appearing on the International Track 200, and making its third consecutive appearance, is food company Baxters, which was founded in Speyside in 1868 and whose main manufacturing centre and corporate headquarters is at Mosstodloch by Fochabers.
A deal to supply own-brand products to US retail giant Walmart pushed overseas sales to £212.4 million last year, while its Canadian business produced 84 million cans of soup during the 2017 financial year.
They join a range of businesses that include sports car maker Aston Martin, high street optician Specsavers and coffee house chain Cafe Nero.
This year’s list shows positive signs despite the uncertainties caused by the ongoing Brexit negotiations with international sales up by an average of 62 per cent a year over the last two years to a total of £10.1 billion, the highest growth rate since 2013.
