Brexit

New trade deal between UK and Australia results in Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls order

By Anthony Myers

- Last updated on GMT

The Prince of Wales visited Uncle Joe's Wigan factory in April 2019 to celebrate its 100th Birthday. Pic: Uncle Joe's.
The Prince of Wales visited Uncle Joe's Wigan factory in April 2019 to celebrate its 100th Birthday. Pic: Uncle Joe's.

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Premium British confectionery brand Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls has secured its first order from Australia in more than 10 years as the free trade deal between the two countries, signed post-Brexit, opens up new opportunities.

The Wigan-based company said the order is from Perth-based British Provender, UK manufacturer representatives and ‘distributors of outstanding food brands throughout Australia’.

An initial delivery comprising bags and tins of Uncle Joe's Mint Balls as well as Winter Nips, Herbal Cough, Dandelion and Burdock, Aniseed Lozenges, Honey and Lemon Lozenges, and Throat and Chest Lozenges is due to be dispatched this month, the company said.

The new Free Trade Agreement means iconic British products will be cheaper to sell into Australia, and is currently being finalised after the two countries reached an agreement in principle in June.

‘Feelgood factor’

John Winnard MBE and Ant Winnard, Joint Managing Directors at Wigan-based Uncle Joe’s, said that even though the trade deal had yet to be implemented it had created a feelgood factor between businesses in the two countries, which had already begun to open doors.

They said: “This is the first major trade deal negotiated from scratch by the government since we left the EU and will effectively eliminate tariffs on all UK goods.

“That in itself has encouraged conversations and led to businesses from the two countries wanting to build relationships ready for when the deal is fully implemented.

“We are delighted that fans of Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls Down Under will now be able to get their hands on the sweets much more easily.”

The sweets will initially be sold in specialist, independent shops as part of British Provender’s commitment to be a leading importer and distributor of Britain’s favourite foods.

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