Gold Coast exports: Arundel-based Morlife inks trade deal with Life Pharmacy in the UAE

Gold Coast rock star exporter Morlife has struck a sweet trade deal with one of the leading pharmacy chains in the Middle East.

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GOLD Coast rock star exporter Morlife has struck a sweet trade deal with one of the leading pharmacy chains in the Middle East.

Life Pharmacy, which has more than 175 outlets throughout the United Arab Emirates, has agreed to stock Morlife’s range of dark-chocolate super berries.

The first container load of the sweet treats, including Dark Chocolate Coated Ginger and Inca Berries, has left for the UAE. It was worth $100,000.

Co-owner Cheryl Stewart said the deal is a direct result of the company attending the Arab Health Trade Show with the support of the Gold Coast City Council.

Functional food producer Morlife has seen sales explode during covid19. It has used the opportunity to launch new products and buy new machinery. Owner Cheryl Stewart with the chocolate belt spreader in the Arundel factory. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“That took us two years to put together, with lots of trips to Dubai,” Ms Stewart said.

“It is a coup for us. They (Life Pharmacy) are the No 1 pharmacy chain in Dubai.”

Ms Stewart said Life Pharmacy also operates 1000 other stores under different brands, giving Morlife the potential to expand its reach even more through the region.

She said the deal would not have been possible without the support the council provided to trade missions to help generate export sales.

Morlife has benefited from more focus on health and wellness products during the coronavirus pandemic.

Morlife’s Alkalising Greens product range.

The Arundel company’s online sales have doubled and it has launched three new products comprised of Complete Gut Restore, designed to aid digestion.

“That has been the biggest seller since COVID hit,” she said.

The company has also boosted sales of its powder range, including its Alkalising Greens.

Production has risen from 2000 packets a day before the pandemic to 3000. That has given the company the confidence to invest in $200,000 worth of new machinery.

The 600kg blender has been replaced with a machine that can blend one tonne of powder.

“We were at breaking point. We needed the new machinery.”

Morlife has 60 staff, with none on JobKeeper.

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