Catalonia’s Bonbons Cudié eyes expansion in Middle East
A halal-certified manufacturer of Catànies, a hybrid of almonds and chocolate, Cudié’s products are sold in 40 countries and will be at this year’s Alimentaria exhibition in April.
A Spanish confectionary company that has been operational for nearly eight decades has significantly expanded its product range to include delicacies like green lemon, Himalayan salt and crème brulée Catànies and now exports to 40 countries.
Consequently, Cudié exhibited at Gulfood in Dubai in February, opening up sales possibilities and will be at this year’s Alimentaria exhibition.
Located in the Penedès agricultural area not far from Barcelona, Cudié has been producing Catànies for 76 years. The original Catànies were almond coated in white praline and covered with cocoa powder. Handmade, the almond used was the Mediterranean Marcona, considered the queen of almonds.
Rut Farré-Escofet, Global Sales Manager at Bonbons Cudié, told Salaam Gateway the firm had expanded its portfolio over the past decade and now produces 45 products.
“The original Catànies are the core product and we expanded with more flavours. We manufacture everything from A to Z. The Catànies used to be hand-made, but the process is now more automated, but always natural.”
Cudié producers around 1,500kg daily with its almonds, macadamia and pistachio nuts sourced from Catalonia. Product sizes vary from 30g to 80g and in larger boxes of 100g to 500g. Farré-Escofet said it was important the company’s products were well controlled.
Cudié has a strong presence in its native Catalonia and is expanding throughout Spain. Global exports, now accounting for 22% of sales, received a strong push through winning international awards including the 2020 Great Taste Awards in London. Internationally, Cudié is focusing on markets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
“We started in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through different partners and channels, while Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are key countries into which we want to play,” said Farré-Escofet.
One of Cudié’s marketing strengths in Muslim-majority markets is its Catànies are halal-certified. Its nougats are not yet certified, but the company plans to achieve that status as part of its push into the UAE market.
After its success at Gulfood, the firm will exhibit at Alimentaria hosting the III International Halal Congress in Barcelona on 6 April 2022. Farré-Escofet said the company was not adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, only shutting down for two weeks.
“Sales actually increased during the pandemic, while our turnover has risen 84% in the last four years. We have invested in a new production plant, so output is increasing and we are flying,” she said.
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