Uncle Joe's Mint Balls

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

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 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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The company was established in 1986 with the goal to establish a portfolio of iconic UK food brands and products and it currently also works with the likes of PG Tips, Coleman’s mustard and Branston pickle.

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.

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.”

British Provender says that the company is proud to be “the official and exclusive manufacturer appointed Australian agent for many UK leading companies.

“Working in partnership with our suppliers, sales agents and customers we offer the best of British foods to everyone who respects traditional British quality.”

Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls are made by Wigan-based William Santus and Co Ltd, a privately-owned traditional sweet company that was established in 1898.

The ownership has been passed down through the family generations and joint Managing Directors John and Antony Winnard are the great, great nephews of the company’s founder.

The Mint Balls are still manufactured using the same traditional methods as when Mrs Santus originally made the sweets in her kitchen in 1898.

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