London-based popcorn maker Joe & Seph's secured a £100,000 order from one of Saudi Arabia's largest supermarket chains, backed by an Export Insurance Policy from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government's export credit agency, according to a 21 September 2026 press release. UKEF said its insurance covered 80% of the order against non-payment risk, giving the business confidence to take on a contract in a new market.

Founded in 2010 by Joseph Sopher, Joe & Seph's employs over 60 people at its London headquarters, exports to 32 countries and has won more than 100 Great Taste Awards, the release stated. Paul Sopher, a director at the company, said UKEF's support gave the business confidence to accept its largest order ever without which it could not have taken on the risk.

Hitesh Patel, an Export Finance Manager at UKEF, described the work with Joe & Seph's as an example of how the agency can help small and medium-sized enterprises scale up. The release said the company is targeting further growth in the US, Middle East and Singapore. It also cited UKEF figures for the previous financial year: over £11 billion in loans, guarantees and insurance, supporting up to 85,000 jobs and contributing up to £6.4 billion to the economy.