TruffleHunter expands into new Asian markets with support from UK export finance
The SEB forms part of UKEF’s Trade Strategy, which seeks to make export protection more accessible for small and mid-sized businesses.
UK – TruffleHunter, a gourmet food company based in South Cerney, Gloucestershire, has successfully expanded into new Asian markets with the help of UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) Small Export Builder (SEB) facility.
The initiative, launched to support small and medium-sized exporters, has enabled the company to secure contracts worth £22,500 (US$30,183) in Malaysia and the Philippines, markets where commercial insurers often decline to cover smaller-value exports.
The speciality food producer, renowned for its truffle-based products and fine ingredients, turned to the SEB facility after facing challenges in accessing export insurance for emerging markets.
Through the government-backed programme, TruffleHunter was able to safeguard new trade deals while building long-term relationships with international buyers.
The SEB offers an initial credit limit of up to £25,000 (approximately US$33,543), which can increase in 50% increments to reach £100,000 (approximately US$134,185) as businesses establish a reliable trading history.
This flexible model enabled TruffleHunter, an experienced exporter and recipient of the Queen’s Award for International Trade (2021), to confidently pursue new markets with government-backed protection.
TruffleHunter’s CEO, Nigel Whitehouse, added, “The Small Export Builder has been a game-changer for our business. The inability to secure commercial insurance for smaller orders was a real barrier for us. UKEF’s support has given us the confidence to diversify our export base and build relationships with buyers we simply couldn’t have worked with before.”
To date, the company has secured contracts worth approximately £7,500 (US$10,063) in Malaysia and £15,000 (US$20,127) in the Philippines, with additional orders confirmed for Thailand, Ecuador, and Mexico.
The new opportunities mark a significant step in the brand’s international diversification strategy, extending its footprint across Asia and the Americas.
Hugh Francis, Export Finance Manager for Gloucestershire, explained, “TruffleHunter’s success demonstrates exactly why we launched the Small Export Builder, to help smaller businesses access markets that commercial insurers won’t cover. The beauty of this facility is that it grows with the business, allowing them to build confidence and trading relationships incrementally.”
The SEB forms part of UKEF’s Trade Strategy, which seeks to make export protection more accessible for small and mid-sized businesses.
In the 2024/25 financial year, UKEF delivered a record £14.5 billion (US$19.4 billion) in new financing, supporting more than 667 UK companies and safeguarding up to 70,000 jobs, a reflection of the UK government’s growing commitment to global trade expansion.
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