Long Meadow Cider
Long Meadow have taken part in a number of different InterTradeIreland programmes, designed to boost their cross-border sales and enhance their profile in Ireland.
About Long Meadow Cider
Apple farming has been the McKeever family livelihood for over 50 years. Beginning in 1968, Peter Mckeever senior planted the first Bramley apple tree on Long Meadow home farm in the heart of the orchard county, Armagh in Northern Ireland.
At first the family focussed on growing, picking and supplying apples to trade and processors as a commodity product.
In the 2010’s the family decided to add value to their business by diversifying into the production of making craft cider on the farm and an apple press was installed and a unique recipe was developed, under the Long Meadow brand name.
Long Meadow now produce craft ciders, apple juice and apple cider vinegar, as well as hosting tours, tastings and events.
Sometimes it can feel like small businesses fall through the cracks, but everyone at InterTradeIreland was helpful and wanted our business to grow.
Alanna McKeever, Long Meadow Cider
How Long Meadow Cider have worked with InterTradeIreland
Elevate 2019
Long Meadow took part in the Elevate programme (which is now Acumen) in 2019. The goal was to explore the ROI market, grow awareness of the brand and secure a distributor for Long Meadow’s cider. At the successful conclusion of the project Long Meadow reported 75% additional turnover in the new market. Catherine McKeever, one of the owners of Long Meadow Cider, said, "We are delighted with the outcome of the Elevate Programme. The consultant we worked with has been an unbelievable advisor, I know we would not have achieved sales and contacts without this help and support. We have tried on many occasions and always met with brick walls. The help of this programme we have broken down many barriers, it has been such an asset to our business."
Emerge 2020
The E-Merge programme, which ran from 2020-2022, provided fully funded consultancy support to help businesses develop online sales and ecommerce solutions. Speaking about the programme Catherine said, "Our SEO listing was not very high until our Emerge consultant intervened, and this has now increased significantly. The designing and implementation of social media marketing activities will raise our profile significantly."
First Time Exporters 2024
The First Time Exporters programme provides fully funded training and mentoring in export strategy and capability building. Participants gain market intelligence and valuable opportunities for peer-to-peer connections. By taking part in the programme Long Meadow gained a valuable overview of the cider market in Ireland, including key competitors (analysis of their product ranges, sectors targeted and digital strategies), consumer behaviours and market innovations. With the support of a mentor they were also able to develop a contact database of prospective customers in priority target sectors, and review their digital strategy to raise brand awareness.
Trade Missions @ Home 2025
The InterTradeIreland Trade Missions @ Home project offers specialised mentoring and sales training to empower businesses to reach their full export potential. Our team identifies sales opportunities, as well as providing coaching in cross-border sales techniques to set participants up for long-term sustainable success.
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Alanna McKeeverLong Meadow CiderAfter the Trade Mission things happened very quickly. We started working with a large retailer in Ireland and developed a new distribution channel. It was intense, and very welcome. The InterTradeIreland follow up was amazing and we know what our next steps are going to be.
