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Potato Vodka from Tyrnävä Goes to China |
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By Virpi Hattukangas
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Tuesday, 19 February 2008 |
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ShaShaman Spirits, a liquor company from Tyrnävä in the Oulu region, will begin exporting its award winning Ström vodka to China. A number of gourmet restaurants in Beijing will include the Finnish vodka in their selection this spring.
Riku Räätäri, Managing Director at Shaman Spirits, knows that the Chinese had for some time been looking this type of new product for their market. The Chinese, in fact, initiated the contact with Shaman Spirits. The final decision by the Chinese was made as a result of long negotiations. According to Räätäri, the Chinese buyers were persuaded by the exotic northern character of the super premium Ström vodka and also the fact that it is made in a traditional way. Räätäri is especially pleased about their vodka entering the Chinese market in the year of the Olympics. This will hopefully give the product further international exposure. The contract with the Chinese also represents a breakthrough into the Asian market. Until now Shaman Spirits have exported some quantities of Ström vodka to Asia, mainly via the Philippines. This new order is, however, in a whole new league. Räätäri is cautious about speculating how well the Chinese will receive Tyrnävä vodka. He admits though that any growth potential for Shaman Spirits is at the moment mainly abroad. If all goes well in Beijing, Räätäri may target the Indian market.
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