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The Wigan-based manufacturer of the iconic British sweet Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls has enlisted the help of the Government’s Department for International Trade (DIT) to help secure new deals in the wake of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company is working with a DIT North West International Trade Adviser, and DIT teams in British embassies around the world, setting up virtual meetings to promote the famous sweets to potential clients.

Supplies of Uncle Joe’s, which have been made at the Toffee Works in Wigan for more than 100 years, have also been sent to the British Embassy in Washington DC, USA, as a present for the new presidential administration of Joe Biden.

So far DIT has been in touch with its teams and partners in Norway, the UAE, Sweden, Finland, USA, Canada, the Netherlands and Kuwait.

It has also supported the company’s participation in this year’s Food & Drink Exporters Association’s Export Connections virtual conference.

In a statement, John Winnard and Antony Winnard, Uncle Joe’s joint managing directors, said: "DIT teams from each country will then look into ‘matches’ for us in the hope of developing our exports in their country’s markets.

"This is a fantastic initiative and we are very proud that, after our initial approach for their help and expertise in increasing our exports, DIT has chosen to work together with Uncle Joe’s and our famous sweets to show how new trade links and export deals can be generated in the post-Brexit marketplace."