A Devon-based sausage manufacturer has won a Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) award for its plans to tap into a lucrative sausage market in Spain.
An increasing number of Brits relocating to the Mediterranean means that there is a new demand for the traditional British pork sausage in Spain, and Westaways Sausages has identified the country as a prime market for its products, following a series of meetings with UK Trade & Investment.
The sausage manufacturer has won £25,000 through the awards, which promote innovative uses of UK grain both in the UK and abroad. The HGCA Enterprise Award funding will be used for promotional activities and further research of the Spanish market.
Charles Baughan, director of Westaways said: “This is an excellent opportunity for us to enter a new market and increase production of our sausages.
“We insist on only using British Quality Assured Pork, and supporting our local agricultural community, so we are delighted that HGCA is assisting us with this project.”
Westaways has been exporting to Portugal and France for two years, and is therefore experienced in selecting distributors, and modifying processes and design in foreign markets. The company expects to generate an additional 1,325t of grain over the two-year project duration.
Julian Gibbons, chairman of HGCA’s market development committee said: “The HGCA Enterprise Awards are aimed at encouraging companies using UK grain to explore new markets abroad, just as Westaways is doing.
“The project will also make a contribution to giving the British pig industry a much-needed boost. They have a fantastic product and we wish them every success with the project.”
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