Navan firm Lir Chocolates has signed a €1 million contract with Tesco to make their own brand Easter eggs. Most of the deal relates to eggs destined for sale in the UK market.

The supermarket chain buys Irish food and drink worth €2 billion a year with €700 million of this exported to its stores internationally.

"Tesco continues to be a key strategic market for our business so we’re extremely pleased at this latest development, and further reach into the UK" said Suzanne Frazer from Lir at the announcement. "The deal is another significant boost to our operations" she added.

Founded in 1987 the Irish company has been working with Tesco for over 10 years and already supplies a number of Tesco own brand and Lir branded lines to Tesco stores in Ireland and the UK.

Fiona Whelan is confectionary buyer with Tesco Ireland "Tesco is delighted to extend its relationship with Lir Chocolates and to build on an already extremely successful relationship. Working with and developing export opportunities for Irish suppliers continues to be an integral part of our business strategy" she said

Tesco international purchases account for approximately 8% of total food and drink exports from Ireland.