A SKIPTON-based confectionery company is thriving in Europe and beyond despite the continuing uncertainties of Brexit.

Whitakers Chocolates, the UK’s largest supplier of personalised chocolates, has seen a 30 per cent increase in sales compared to the same time last year, with orders from as far afield as Uruguay.

Several thousand Whitakers-branded chocolates have been shipped to a major distributor in Uruguay in the company’s first order to the South American country. Using an intermediate business which specialises in sales to remote countries, the British-made mint and coffee cremes will be sold on to Uruguayan independent companies and small retailers.

Ian Webster, Whitakers Chocolates Sales Manager, said: “This is an incredibly exciting and significant order for us.

"We began implementing our newly-formed export strategy at the beginning of 2018 so to see it bear fruit, especially in today’s climate, is both rewarding and promising.

"We’ve also seen a huge 20 per cent increase in orders to Canada which is another burgeoning market for us.”

European sales have also fared well with growing orders to one of France’s biggest retailers, Monoprix. Whitakers Chocolates has maintained its market share in Scandinavia despite a significant rise in sugar taxes presenting challenging trading conditions.

Mr Webster added: “We sell a lot of products on an ‘ex-factory’ basis so our customers can collect products directly from the factory at a preferential rate but have to deal with tariffs themselves and organise their own transport.”

Whitakers Chocolates will be further exploring new markets and countries when it attends ISM, the largest trade fair in the world for confectionery and snacks, next year in Cologne, where it will reveal new branding and launch a number of additional product ranges.

“This is a really exciting time at Whitakers Chocolates. We’re feeling confident about the future and expanding into more countries with a new brand and extended product line," said Mr Webster.

Whitakers Chocolates produces 10 million chocolates each week for the hospitality, promotional and retail sectors.